UA 

23 

.A4711 

1993 

c.4 

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CON 

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. ships to provide worldwide reach for its MCM vessels, 

which currently have limited open-ocean capability and 

therefore cannot transit rapidly to distant areas. 

SURFACE COMBATANTS 

The DDG-51 (Flight IIA) modification program is 

adding dual helicopter hangars to DDG-51 s. Operation 

DESERT STORM corroborated the value of basing 

multipurpose helicopters on surface combatants in 

naval battle groups. Procurement of the first DDG-51 

outfitted to support helicopters is funded in FY 1994. 

Ship self-defense systems are being emphasized to 

guard against the increasing threat posed by antiship 

cruise missiles. 

COMBAT LOGISTIC FORCES 

Combat logistic forces are being restructured to 

strengthen support for carrier battle groups in regional contingencies. AOE-6-class replenishment ships will provide 

improved ammunition and logistic support for the fleet. 

ANTISUBMARINE WARFARE (ASW) 

Although the pace of antisubmarine warfare (ASW) 

efforts has declined with the reduction in the deepwater submarine threat, the shallow littoral operating 

environment presents new challenges. Our ASW programs recognize this. The Low-Frequency Active 

sonar system is being readied for introduction on a 

new ship class designed around the Small Waterplane 

Area Twin Hull concept. This system enhances deepwater detection of submarines and is also being tested 

in shallow-water areas. Mark 48 advanced capability 

and Mark 50 torpedoes also are being evaluated for 

shallow-water employment. Full-spectrum signal processing and lightweight fiber optics are new technologies also being applied to ASW. 

SUBMARINES 

The Seawolf attack submarine program has been 

reduced to two ships, commensurate with the reduced 

threat, reduced resources, and the need to preserve an 

important element of the industrial base. We are in 

the early stages of exploring the configuration and 

potential acquisition requirements of a new, lowercost attack submarine. Studies of the submarine 

industrial base are continuing, and concept definition 

Part III Defense Components 

NAVAL FORCES 

studies for a possible new submarine have begun. 

Specific plans await the results of these assessments. 

AMPHIBIOUS FORCES 

Amphibious forces play an essential role in expeditionary operations and forward presence. Amphibious 

· ready groups (ARGs) often provide our first response 

in contingency operations. Lift capacity for at least 

2.5 MEBs will be maintained through the replacement of retiring amphibious ships with deliveries of 

LHDs, LSD-41 s, LSD-41 (CV)s, and other amphibious vessels. 

Freedom of Navigation 

The United States remains committed to the principle that the world's seas must be open to all nations. 

The armed forces continue to be the instrument for the 

United States to exercise and assert its navigation and 

overflight rights and freedoms consistent with the 

1982 Law of the Sea Convention. As a matter of policy, the United States will not acquiesce in unilateral 

acts of other states that unlawfully restrict the rights 

and freedoms of the international community in navigation and overflight and other related high seas uses. 

When these rights are not exercised by nations, claims 

constraining use of the seas may come to be accepted 

as binding. Accordingly, it is necessary for maritime 

nations, such as the United States, to protest excessive 

claims through diplomatic channels and to exercise 

their navigation and overflight rights in the disputed 

regions. Our Nation has accepted this responsibility as 

a tenet of national policy. Therefore, the Department 

maintains an active Freedom of Navigation program. 

From October 1 , 1991 , to September 30, 1 992, Freedom of Navigation assertions were conducted against 

the following countries with maritime claims contrary 

to international law. 

Country 

Algeria 

Brazil 

Burma* 

Cambodia 

Excessive Claim Challenged 

Prior permission for militaryrelated vessels to enter 12 nautical 

mile (nm) territorial sea 

200 nm territorial sea 

Prior permission for warship to 

enter 1 2 nm territorial sea 

Prior permission for warship to 

enter 12 nm territorial sea 
Part III Defense Components 

NAVAL FORCES 

Cape Verde Prior permission for warship to 

enter 12 nm territorial sea 

China Prior permission for warship to 

enter 12 nm territorial sea 

Congo 200 nm territorial sea 

Djibouti Excessive straight baselines 

Dominican 

Republic* Excessive straight baselines 

Ecuador* 200 nm territorial sea 

India Prior notification for warship to 

enter 12 nm territorial sea 

Iran Prior permission for warship to 

enter 12 nm territorial sea 

Liberia* 200 nm territorial sea 

Maldives Prior permission for warship to 

enter 12 nm territorial sea 

Nicaragua* 200 nm territorial sea (and over 

flight clearance), 25 nm security 

zone 

85 

Nigeria 30 nm territorial sea 

Oman Excessive straight baselines 

Pakistan Prior permission for warship to enter 

12 nm territorial sea 

Peru* 200 nm territorial sea 

Sierra Leone* 200 nm territorial sea 

Somalia 200 nm territorial sea 

Sudan Prior permission for warship to enter 

12 nm territorial sea 

*Denotes that Freedom of Navigation assertion was 

also conducted last year. 1.1 

Conclusion 

The FY 1994-95 defense program adapts our naval 

forces to the requirements of the regional defense strategy. It provides a lean, robust Navy and Marine Corps 

optimized for joint operations and capable of responding 

quickly to any challenges that arise.