The large defended operational areas afforded by NTW give the CinC great flexibility in accomplishing theater ballistic missile defense. A few ships can protect many critical assets in the theater of operations, as well as provide defense against longer ranged missiles fired elsewhere. This results in a high cumulative kill probability where it is needed most and the flexibility to provide significant protection over much of the theater. When forces move out from under the less mobile land-based TBMD umbrella, this is especially important. Where geography or threat capabilities preclude forward placement of ships, external cueing from space assets or ground-based radars enable the employment of NTW over large operational areas.
Engagements are possible with midcourse ship locations and terminal ship locations.
For longer threat ranges, ships must be located closer to the defended areas. Capital Ships Navy surface combatants remain forward deployed, on station, shaping the security environment favorably toward U.S. interests. The investment in these combatants, coupled with their increased roles and missions, certainly qualifies them as capital ships. By redefining the missions of land attack and theater air dominance, we ensure the nation's continued maritime dominance in the littorals. There is much to do as we build an interoperable surface force that will remain a full participant in the joint battlefield and continue to secure the peace.