VOLUME I Multinational Maritime Tactical Instructions and Procedures

MTP 1(D), Vol. I
12010 BASIC CONCEPT OF DEFENSE
Figure 12-1 — NOT RELEASABLE
Evasive maneuvering is an essential element of nuclear warfare defense. Ships, whether acting independently
or in formation, must take such individual and collective action as may be required to avoid, to
the maximum practicable degree, the immediate and residual hazards resulting from a nuclear detonation.
Basic predictions for defense against fallout are contained in ATP 45. Table 12-2 provides an aide-memoir
to the command of a ship for the correct reaction to a nuclear attack. The warning time for such an attack,
especially from a submarine, may be under 2 minutes. This would give time to cancel relaxation to the
gastight and watertight conditions of the ship, but may not allow a change in the manning or material state
to be made. Due consideration must be given to this before ordering a higher degree of readiness.
12011 GENERAL TACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS
In a nuclear war, the most suitable nuclear defense disposition would be one where not more than
one ship would suffer sinking or severe damage from a single burst. Maintaining such a disposition may
not be tactically feasible considering the many factors involved, such as primary mission, geographic area,
weather, forces assigned, and relative importance of other potential threats. The OTC should select a force
disposition that effects the best compromise of all factors involved in a particular situation. When the probability
of nuclear attack exists there are a number of principles that should be considered.
NOT RELEASABLE
12-4 ORIGINAL