Page 69 - Maritime Services and the Kill Web

The Maritime Services, the Allies and Shaping the Kill Web

“We may see out on deployment, whoever might be out there at the time and they then execute there.

“The threat is about as high as we can ramp it up to.”
Captain Steinbaugh highlighted what the training command is doing now but how the transition implied in the
name change was laying the foundation for a way ahead towards more effective fleet integration.

With new buildings being added for simulation and training a new phase will be added.

The Way Ahead for NAWDC: Naval Aviation and Working the Kill Web

017-08-16 By Robbin Laird and Ed Timperlake

During our visit to NAWDC, we had a chance to talk with Captain Enfield, an experienced naval aviator with
several tours of duty in Japan and Pete Milham, the NAWDC Technical Director.

We discussed with them the evolution of NAWDC to build out capabilities to work within an expanded
battlespace and to drive the process of enhanced integration of the air enabled naval force.

The senior leadership has suggested that the strategic goal of a distributed but integrated force is to be able
to operate as a kill web.

The kill chain is a linear concept which is about connecting assets to deliver fire power; the kill web is about
distributed operations and the ability of force packages or task forces to deliver force dominance in an area
of interest.

It is about building in integration from the ground up so that forces can work seamlessly together through
multiple networks, rather than relying on a single point of failure large network.

But the kill web remains a concept if the technology and training do not translate into operational realities.

Most often, the technology is discussed in this context; but the training is crucial to shape a way for naval
aviators to operate as animators of an integrated kill web.

“Doogie” is a very experienced combat aviator put his focus squarely on the need for vigilance and diligence
to refocus the current acquisition process to always make sure “state-of-the art” technology is rapidly fielded
and in the hands of warriors when it really matters.

“We have a very slow acquisition process.

“Other countries do not.

“Other countries are beginning to rival us with their intellectual capability.
“We must leverage ever more effective training for integrated operations and to develop the TPPs that allow
us to prevail in combat.”

There are a number of tools being put in place to provide for the evolution of more effective integrated
operations from the ground up or put another way, to train for operating as a kill web requires a new tool
set.

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