VOLUME I Multinational Maritime Tactical Instructions and Procedures

are available. This will add to the effectiveness of his forces, better ensure own aircraft safety, and minimize
the confusion that would result in divided aircraft control.
f. Antisurface Ship Missiles (ASSMs).
(1) ASSM systems are divided into three categories.
(a) Short range: Up to 20 miles (to-the-horizon ranges).
(b) Medium range: From 20 to 75 miles.
(C) Long range: More than 75 miles.
The OTC should, if he has any choice, allocate units to the SAG with ASSM systems of sufficiently
superior range and lethality to ensure success without needlessly wasting his most powerful
assets.
(2) The conflicting use of SAM systems for AAW on the one hand and for SAM in the surfaceto-surface
(SASS) mode on the other must be carefully weighed by the OTC. Systems with more than
one tracker can maintain both, although with reduced capabilities. However, most medium- and
long-range SAM systems have sufficient surface-to-surface capability to favorably influence the outcome
of the surface action.
8202 SURFACE ACTION GROUP POLICY
In defense of the main body, the primary concern must be to remain between the enemy and the main
body. If the SAG has been detached to destroy, neutralize, or repel missile carrier(s), the SAG should do so
as far as possible from the main body or convoy. In formulating his policy, the SAG commander must consider
the following factors:
a. Relative capabilities of own and enemy forces.
b. Likely tactics of enemy forces.
c. The use of ECM. The SAG commander should make use of the ECM capability of ships of the
SAG to disrupt enemy fire control, surface warning sensors, missile systems, and communications.
d. The use of deception. When approaching the enemy, the SAG commander should consider the
use of physical and electronic measures designed to conceal the size and formation of the SAG. The electronic
emission pattern of the SAG must conform with the deception plan in use.
e. The formation. It is important that deployment into the chosen surface-action formation should
have been completed before action commences. The surface-action formation must allow ships to engage
with all their weapons, and to take avoiding action without endangering adjacent ships. Unnecessarily
large intervals between ships give an enemy with superior speed the opportunity to concentrate on one part
of the group at a time.
f. Pre-action fire control settings. It is vital that these are obtained as early in the action as possible.
Thus, initial settings on fire control equipment must be accurate. However, fire control is vulnerable to
jamming and therefore calibration involving fire control radar transmissions may be inadvisable and
should only be carried out on instruction from the SAG commander.
g. Fire distribution.
MTP 1(D), Vol. I
8-10 CHANGE 2