EP38: US Navy versus Fast attack Craft (FACs) and other asymmetrical attacks

Summary:

In this episode we discuss the vulnerability of the US Navy to asymmetrical attacks, particularly from small, fast boats, known as Fast Attack Crafts (FACs). The attack on the USS Cole in 2000 serves as a stark example of the threat posed by FACs, highlighting the ability of small, inexpensive weapons to inflict significant damage. In response to this threat, the US Navy has implemented various countermeasures including deploying patrol boats and Zodiacs in littoral zones, employing the Phalanx CIWS and MK 38 25mm gun systems, and researching solutions such as electronic warfare and directed energy weapons. We also acknowledge the emerging threat posed by unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) operating in swarms, further highlighting the evolving nature of this threat and the ongoing need to develop effective countermeasures.

Questions to consider as you read/listen:

1. How has the US Navy responded to the threat of asymmetric attacks from fast attack crafts and unmanned surface vehicles?
2. What are the key challenges in defending against swarms of small, inexpensive unmanned surface vehicles?
3. How has the US Navy's experience with the USS Cole attack influenced its approach to maritime security?

Long format:

US Navy versus Fast attack Craft (FACs) and other asymmetrical attacks

This week’s report that Houthi rebel rockets came perhaps as close as 200 meters of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower US Aircraft carrier the question becomes what is the US Navy’s capabilities in terms of asymmetrical attacks?

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/200-meters-away-did-houthis-nearly-sink-navy-aircraft-carrier-213267#:~:text=A%20recent%20report%20revealed%20that,actors%20equipped%20with%20advanced%20weaponry

The asymmetrical nature of the modern threat is those FACs (Fast Attack Craft). The US Navy experienced a huge wake up call and shock with the USS Cole attack.

A very small fiberglass boat carrying shaped C4 explosives and two suicide bombers approached the port side of the destroyer and exploded, creating a 40-by-60-foot (12 by 18 m) gash in the ship's port side.

2 suicide bombers on board a cheap not particularly fast boat with about 1000 pounds of C4. (Interestingly the boat was the same one used in the unsuccessful USS The Sullivans attack the year prior)

Friendly gestures got those two suicide bombers way too close. I don’t think the US Navy is going to allow access anywhere near an asset again. Big lesson learned.

This attack caused $240m in damage. 17 sailors killed. 39 injured. Cole's Sailors fought fires and flooding for the following 96 hours to keep the ship afloat. Very very asymmetrical.

Since the USS Cole wake up call, the fleet has really focused on FAC defense. This includes the deployment of a variety of patrol boats and Zodiac like boats when in littoral zones.

The Phalanx CIWS (20 mm AP tungsten penetrator rounds when operating under Surface Mode, the ROF is 50 rounds/sec. With a drum capacity of 1,550 rounds, that gives Phalanx 31 seconds worth of firing before running dry.) is optimized a last-ditch defense against incoming missiles. It can be used against attacks by FACs, but was not designed for that purpose.

The MK 38 25mm gun system (hard hitting 25 mm rounds at a rate of 3 rounds/sec on auto mode, AP, incendiary, or semi-AP shells. With 168 ready-rounds on mount, firing time is nearly double at 56 seconds) has been installed specifically as a defense against FACs like those used by the Iranian IRGC forces in the Gulf.

An Unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) swarm is something different altogether.

The potential for a large number of small, inexpensive USVs to overwhelm a defender's limited supply of high-cost defensive weapons is a legit risk. Identifying and engaging multiple small targets simultaneously within a large area in real time and distinguishing foe from not foe is also difficult.

It’s an evolving response to this new threat. Swarm on swarm is being studied and explored. Electronic warfare to deny control over the USVs is the current prevalent countermeasure. Directed energy weapons are being researched and developed.

Sources:

https://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/uss-cole-bombing

Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org › wikiMark 38 25 mm machine gun system

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phalanx_CIWS#:~:text=The%20Block%201A%20and%20newer,uranium%20with%20discardable%20plastic%20sabots.

https://www.gd-ots.com/armaments/naval-platforms-system/phalanx/

https://www.rtx.com/raytheon/what-we-do/sea/phalanx-close-in-weapon-system#:~:text=U.S.%20Air%20Force)-,The%20Phalanx%20close%2Din%20weapon%20system%20is%20the%20last%20line,Next

https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2024/august/counterswarming-imperative#:~:text=This%20example%20raises%20the%20question,catch%20a%20drone%20swarm%E2%80%9D%20approach