Naval Operations Concept - Defense Technical Information Center

Naval Operations Concept 2010
saries may not be deterred with nuclear or conventional retaliation, and
may actually seek to elicit a U.S. reprisal to support their own strategic
objectives. As described in previous chapters, U.S. forces are required to
conduct a variety of military tasks, equally capable of globally distributed or
regionally concentrated projection of both “hard power” and “soft power” as
appropriate. This presents a challenge for naval forces—maintaining their
advantages to prevent and deter conflict through nuclear and conventional
means while evolving new, non-traditional deterrence capabilities.
Central Idea
Effective deterrence requires a comprehensive effort that includes all
elements of national power. In support of this expanded approach, the
Naval Service will employ a broader set of capabilities to assure partners,
dissuade adversaries, and deter or limit hostile action. These include
continued nuclear and conventional combat preeminence, as well as new
capabilities to deter evolving threats posed by an array of current and
potential adversaries.
CS-21 calls for the naval forces to build confidence and trust among
nations through collective security efforts that focus on common threats
and mutual interests with an unprecedented level of cooperation within
the Naval Service and the other instruments of national power and
U.S. international partners. In this environment, deterrent effects are
achieved through the inherent combat power of forward postured naval
task forces, as well as globally distributed mission-tailored forces engaged in
fostering, expanding and strengthening cooperative relationships, promoting
stable and prosperous regional conditions, and preventing crises.
An Expanded Deterrence Framework
Deployed naval forces are uniquely suited to this expanded approach to
deterrence. They possess a credible and scalable ability to deter state and
non-state adversaries using nuclear and conventional means. Through
their inherent ability to maneuver, largely unfettered by diplomatic
challenges to access and presence, naval forces support a wide range of
credible deterrence options. To sustain this core capability, naval forces
must continue to develop a broad and enduring deterrence portfolio by
maintaining nuclear and conventional capability advantages, including
sea-based ballistic missile defense (BMD).