Put simply, we already have modular weapon systems that would work when operated off the decks of cargo ships, and we’ve already proven that weapons of that sort can be leveraged to engage targets identified by aircraft… That means this concept would require very little in the way of infrastructure building or development–which equates to both cost and time savings.
That sounds so familiar. Oh, right:
Our Navy defends our nation within the incompatible and unforgiving boundaries formed by the tyrannies of distance and numbers. We struggle to build enough ships both capable of deploying globally and powerful enough for fighting first-rate opponents. Operating within a network-centric Navy, auxiliary cruisers could once again play a valuable role in projecting naval power. Using modular systems installed on civilian hulls, auxiliary cruisers could handle many peacetime roles; free scarce warships for more demanding environments; add combat power within a networked force; and promote the global maritime partnership.
Our Navy is surely superior to any conceivable combination of potential foes, alarmism notwithstanding. Yet as a global power, our sea power cannot be narrowly defined by our superb warships able to win conventional sea-control campaigns. We have many objectives at sea. Modularized Auxiliary Cruisers could provide the numbers we need to achieve our maritime objectives. The tyranny of numbers matters to the United States Navy.
To be fair, I wrote that assessment of American naval power in 2007 before China's naval shipbuilding reached its current level.
I went on to describe using standard shipping containers to house weapons and other systems mounted on container ships.
And I noted the ability to rely on external sensors for firing the auxiliary cruiser weapons:
Cooperative Engagement Capability could allow a Modularized Auxiliary Cruiser with a SUW [surface warfare] Mission Package to have its Harpoons fired by a distant warship or airborne platform. Modularized Auxiliary Cruisers could not initiate a strike against a distant target, but would be additional platforms that contribute to the saturation of the enemy’s defenses and complicate enemy strikes. AAW [anti-aircraft warfare] Mission Packages could similarly be plugged in for air defense coverage.
I adapted that suggestion for a power projection platform, which Military Review published. But even in that article I noted the purely Navy aspect of the suggestion.
It would have been nice to get a citation in a footnote. But perhaps I'm overly sensitive about that since I mentioned that when I linked to the Proceedings article cited in that initial article.
Still, getting some credit isn't as important as getting the capability.
