Naval Combat Systems: Developments and Challenges

Executive summary
1. The strategic importance of naval combat systems, by Elio Calcagno
1.1 The sea as a stage for global competition
1.2 Technological advancements in naval combat systems
1.2.1 Implications for navies
1.2.2 Adapting to evolving threats
1.3 The challenges and opportunities of integration
Conclusions
2. Russia and China, by Michelangelo Freyrie
2.1 Russian Federation
2.1.1 The VMF’s tasks and the role of technology
2.1.2 Unmanned systems
2.1.3 Missile and torpedoes technology
2.2 China
2.2.1 The missions of the PLAN
2.2.2 Ship development and USVs
2.2.3 Missiles and aircraft killers
3. United States, by Bryan Clark
3.1 US Navy strategic and doctrinal thinking
3.2 US Navy technological/innovation priorities
3.3 Systems under development in the maritime domain
3.4 The US Navy’s approach to multi-domain and C3
4. France, by Hugo Decis
4.1 Strategic and doctrinal thinking
4.2 Platforms and systems in used and in development
4.3 Innovation priorities
4.4 Multi-domain approach in the naval domain
Conclusion
5. Germany, by Moritz Brake
5.1 Strategic thinking behind the use and development of specific systems and technologies
5.2 Systems in use and development in the maritime domain
5.3 Main technological and innovation priorities
5.4 Readiness for a multi-domain approach to the naval domain
Conclusion
6. Italy, by Elio Calcagno and Alessandro Marrone
6.1 A focus on the wider Mediterranean and on warfighting capabilities
6.2 The planned fleet evolution
6.3 An overview of naval combat systems
6.4 The Navy’s vision on systems integration in naval combat
6.5 The Italian naval defence industry
7. United Kingdom, by Sidharth Kaushal
7.1 The Adversary challenge
7.2 The Royal Navy’s vision for future development
7.3 Conclusions – The early steps towards transition
8. Relevant EU initiatives, by Ottavia Credi
8.1 What the naval domain means for the EU
8.2 Trends in EU activities in the maritime domain
8.3 Relevant EU projects
8.3.1 PESCO
8.3.2 EDF
8.3.3 The EDF’s precursor programmes
8.3.4 The role of the EDA
8.3.5 The future of EU collaboration
9. Conclusions, by Alessandro Marrone and Michele Nones
9.1 A shift towards high-end capabilities within a balanced navy
9.2 Multi-domain cum grano salis
9.3 The balancing of fleet numbers and systems
9.4 A reality check on modularity
9.5 A renewed approach to naval combat systems
9.6 A smart course for technological innovation
9.7 The Italian way to automation and unmanned systems
9.8 A focus on the underwater environment
9.9 The strategic relevance of a carrier strike group
9.10 The multiplier effect of international cooperation
List of acronyms