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Sea Defense Today The
strategic importance of modern sea defense lies with its
ability to thwart or inhibit an enemy’s sea-borne
projection of force. This task is accomplished with a
combination of submarines, surface vessels, amphibious
ships and sea-launched aircraft. Some modern vessels are
equipped with nuclear weapons, which could also be used
as a deterrent for hostile entities.
The armaments used on these vessels include mounted guns,
torpedo launchers, missile launchers and aircraft of many
types, which can carry an even broader array of defensive
weapons.
In modern naval warfare, the key to victory is to detect
an enemy while avoiding detection. Aircraft, radar and
satellite technology all aid in this task, but shallow
water operations can be tricky due to the threat of underwater
mines and submarines. A successful commander knows how
to integrate the use of his or her entire force for victory,
and modern advancements in technology have made the job
less taxing.
Modern vessels have increased their overall range by using
armaments such as rockets and missiles. Many of these
weapons use guidance systems that function both independently
and in coordination with other sources. The use of precision
guided weapons has become more prevalent, as satellites,
lasers and improved optics have been integrated with modern
navigation
systems on board these weapons.
The advent of the microchip allowed laser-guided weapons
to be used prominently in the first Gulf War, but in other
locales the technology has been hindered by unavoidable
circumstances such as weather. Satellite guided weapons
solve the problems caused by poor weather and employ navigation
systems that can work independently of ground or sea support.
These systems use Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) systems
for guidance and even in cases where GPS might be jammed;
the weapon can switch mid-flight to inertial navigation.
The role of intelligence cannot be underplayed with the
use of these weapons. Precision is needed when determining
the location of a potential target, and to properly set
the coordinates in the weapon. Faulty intelligence could
be disastrous as it could lead to the unwanted destruction
of a non-threatening target.
The next wave of 'smart'; weapons will see
an integration of both laser and satellite guidance systems
on one single vehicle. This will lead to even greater
accuracy and will have even more subtle benefits.
'Hybrid' laser and GPS guided weapons offer
more flexibility in field operations and allow for smaller
payloads in sea-borne aircraft. Weapons of this nature
can be used in situations including moving targets, fixed
targets and targets of opportunity. The use of smaller
weapons means more can be carried, and the hybrid guidance
systems employed will mean multiple targets can be engaged
on a single mission. |
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