Challenge and Response: New Threat, New Constraints, New Navy.

摘要

The apparent reduction in the magnitude of the Soviet threat must not obscure the fact that challenges to the national interests of the United States still remain. This thesis proposes that challenges to U.S. national interests have changed to such a degree that American strategic planners must adopt a new planning paradigm to replace the traditional one based on containment of the Soviet Union. The thesis focuses on naval force and organizational planning over the next ten to fifteen years, a timeframe during which the international environment should undergo a transition to a multipolar balance of power system. The thesis concludes that the Navy of the future can be smaller, but must retain its technological superiority in all areas of warfare. A vigorous research and development effort remains essential, and production of new systems and platforms must continue, albeit in smaller numbers and at higher unit costs. Projection of power ashore will be the principal mission of conventional naval forces. Organizationally, the Navy must expand its intelligence gathering efforts, and must formalize career progressions for strategic planners, international negotiators and legislative affairs subspecialists. The thesis includes a discussion of significant domestic constraints that promise to jeopardize the attainment of the desired force structure.