Operational Considerations in Developing Command and Control Doctrine for Future Surface Navy Land Attack Weapons

Since the success of Tomahawk cruise missiles the Navy continues to pursue advanced weapons systems to project force ashore from the maritime environment. In what may be referred to as the Land Attack era for the Surface Navy, increasing emphasis is placed on the tactical responsiveness of future Land Attack weapons systems. While from a systems standpoint this may be acceptable, doctrine must be prepared that also compliments the inevitable operational use of these tactically responsive weapons. Without proper consideration of details that connect both levels of maritime power projection, tactical exploitation of future Land Attack weapons stands to undermine operational flexibility. There is a command and control architecture in place that has due regard for today's emphasis on innovative changes which, through years of evolution, also has an appreciation for relationships between operational and tactical command and control. The Navy has the opportunity now to reap the benefits of that evolution without stalling innovation. The command and control doctrine inherent to Tomahawk strike coordination is a firm basis on which to build doctrine for future Land Attack operational success as well as tactical responsiveness.