Planning and Investigating for a Maritime Reconnaissance Strike Complex: The U.S. Navy in the 21st Century

Abstract

Currently, three factors are re-shaping the U.S. Navy as it enters the 21st Century. First, as a results of the end of the Cold War, a new strategic direction has been mapped out by the Navy in "...From the Sea." Secondly, with the dramatic advances in microcomputers and information technologies, the Navy has the opportunity to embark on a "Military Technological Revolution." Lastly, significant resource constraints will limit the Navy's ability to develop, procure, and maintain forces. This study considers the implications of these three factors for the development of a Maritime Reconnaissance Strike Complex (MRSC). Forces incorporated within an MRSC are then analyzed and compared in terms of capital value and operating and support costs. The results provide one approach to developing an investment strategy for future forces in an era of limited resources.