Mine Warfare in Great Power Competition

NPS NRP Executive Summary Offensive mine warfare is a domain of growing importance to naval operations. The ability to project power, especially in areas of denied access to traditional naval power, is increasingly important in this era of near-peer, Great Power competition. Understanding the foundational purpose of offensive mining operations, within the context of current and potential threat environments, will enable a better understanding of how such devices and their employment doctrine can be transformed for maximum effect. The development of smart, mobile mine networks - capable of operating in littoral, very shallow environments " for example, may prove essential to modern seabed and mine warfare. Systems and mission engineering processes can be applied to develop potentially-disruptive new offensive mine warfare missions, evaluate technological capabilities, and identify specific needs, requirements and performance measures for such missions. This research supports DCNO N9 - Warfare Systems and ONR S&T Code 33 goals of advancing unmanned sea platforms, autonomy and power, and undersea weapons. N9 - Warfare Systems This research is supported by funding from the Naval Postgraduate School, Naval Research Program (PE 0605853N/2098). https://nps.edu/nrp Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.