Employment of Lightly Manned Automated Combat Capability (LMACC) in EABO Operations

Abstract

NPS NRP Executive SummaryAs the U.S. Navy (USN) moves further into automation and evolution to autonomous warships with weapons onboard, there are necessary conditions that must be met. This project explored a concept of operations (CONOPS) for the lightly manned automated combat capability (LMACC) in support of the USMC’s Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) concept and the Marine Littoral Regiment (MLR) in first island chain operations. Additional innovations are necessary to make this into a near-term reality. First, the LMACC is a platform that is weapons and sensor enabled with a set of medium unmanned surface vessels (MUSVs) in a flotilla supported by resilient communications, including a 5G cloud for sensor compilation of targets, and dynamic to contextual changes in the environment. Finally, the MLR is bereft of sea-borne weapons available for naval gunfire support missions. This research examined past results of mounting a 105 mm howitzer and other gun systems that were not automated with stabilizers. The research points to near-term innovations that small civilian shipyards could implement quickly and cheaply. A master’s thesis was completed (classified), and two experiments showed that 5G communications could be extended via a low power wide area network. These studies are discussed in a final report.Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.This research is supported by funding from the Naval Postgraduate School, Naval Research Program (PE0605853N/2098). https://nps.edu/nrpChief of Naval Operations (CNO)N9 - Warfare System