The Marine Corps’chief of plans and operations would like to see improvements in kinetic fires – those intended to inflict as much damage on the enemy and its infrastructure as possible. Lt. Gen. Brian D. Beaudreault also wants enhanced ship and base survivability, electromagnetic-spectrum protection, and command and control networks, Seapower Magazine reported Jan. 10.
Speaking at the annual symposium held by the Surface Navy Association, Beaudreault did say that he is encouraged by some of the changes now taking place. Still, he said he sees the need to make bases more resistant to attack. Additionally, the Corps as a whole is discouraged by the lack of success in efforts to gain greater fire support from the Navy, Seapower reported. In one recent setback, for emple, the Navy opted to commit the new DDG 1000 Zumwalt-class destroyers to a surface-strike mission, rather than sustained fire support directed ashore.
