When the Design for Undersea Warfare (DUSW) was released, I stressed that it was a framework for action. I directed that everyone in the Submarine Force read it, think about it, discuss it and act on it. This direction was intended to engage the talent and creativity of our highly-skilled team of Submariners to achieve the goals laid out in the Design: to enable our nation to maintain undersea superiority now, and long into the future.
DUSW is intended to be specific enough to clearly define the objective, while being flexible enough to encourage initiative and boldness throughout the force- at all levels- in the attainment of these goals. As such, it has implications for major commanders, facility commanders, submarine commanding officers, and each of our officers and Sailors.
Main Objective: We will be masters of the undersea domain, able to achieve undersea superiority at the time and place of our choosing. We will be the experts for all matters in undersea warfare. Consistent with decades of past performance, our Undersea Force will apply itself along three main lines of effort:
- Ready Forces: Provide undersea forces ready for operations and warfighting
- Effective Employment: Conduct effective forward operations and warfighting
- Future Force Capabilities: Prepare for future operations and warfighting
I encourage you to visit
http://www.public.navy.mil/subfor/hq/PDF/Undersea%20Warfare.pdf to see the “Design for
Undersea Warfare: and
http://www.public.navy.mil/subfor/hg/PDF /U ndersea%20Warfi ghting.pdf to view the companion publication, “Undersea Warfighting.”
This document defines our way forward in a complex and often unpredictable environment. As such, it will evolve- it is not a rigid plan. To ensure that necessary changes can occur, the Design for Undersea Warfare has assessment and learning built in- we wilt make changes as necessary and continue updating our assessment as we learn.
The great thing about the Design for Undersea Warfare is that it is flexible, adaptive, and all about the Submariner.
Semper Procinctum
VADM John M. Richardson, USN
