Maritime Security Partnerships

Admiral Michael Mullen, while serving as the US Chief of Naval Operations, developed the concept of the "1,000-ship Navy," which envisioned the partnership of US naval forces with "a diverse array of multinational, federal, state, local and private sector entities to ensure freedom of navigation, the flow of commerce, and the protection of ocean resources." At his request, the Naval Studies Board of the National Research Council conducted this study to examine the technical and operational implications of this concept as they apply to four levels of cooperative efforts: US Navy, Coast Guard, and merchant shipping only; US naval and maritime assets with others in treaty alliances or analogous arrangements; US naval and maritime assets with ad hoc coalitions; and US naval and maritime assets with those that are potentially hostile for special purposes such as deterrence of piracy. For each of these levels, the study examines previously established models of cooperation, including NATO and Interpol models; identifies force structures and interoperability needs, including information sharing and assurance; examines the extent to which sensor technology, information, and operational techniques must be held classified; explores the utility, advantages, and disadvantages of using civilian communications and encryption technologies; and assesses potential vulnerabilities and countermeasure susceptibilities of US military forces inherent in the concept and means to mitigate them. Annotation c2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)