Future Seabasing Technology Analysis: Logistics Command and Control

The Center for Naval Analyses (CNA) was tasked by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) to review the Navy's seabasing concept, identify potential operational problems, and propose science and technology (S&T) investments to produce new technologies or significantly improve existing ones. Formulation of such S&T recommendations requires a clear definition of the concept and operational construct of the sea base. The authors began with a review of the literature that describes the sea base and the technologies that must be developed to make it possible. They supplemented the literature review with discussions with experts in the area of seabasing. They also examined the composition of the sea base as a function of the type and scope of the contingencies that have been addressed by seabased forces and determined that all seabasing operations, large or small, require a common set of operational capabilities. These needed capabilities can be grouped into three categories: Logistics systems, Connectors, and Logistics command and control (C2). In this report, they analyze logistics command and control. Analyses of the other categories are reported separately. The logistics management of the sea base will require a system that is fundamentally different from the logistics system now in place. It will have enhanced capability and much greater capacity because the logistics flow will be greater and detailed information about logistics must be available in real time for planning and operational purposes. The C2 system will be consistent with the Navy's vision of embracing network-centric warfare and will emphasize new types of information gathering and utilization. It should be based on the concept of Sense and Respond Logistics, which is defined as a network-centric, adaptable logistics system that can respond quickly to the unpredictability of demand. A prototype for the operational system -- Distributive Collaborative Command and Control (DCC2) -- is being developed now. The original document contains color images.