Merchant auxiliaries become part of the kill chain

Merchant hulls could provide strategic lift, helicopter and depot support, patrol, survey, intelligence, covert work, minelaying, or drone support. Long-range warfare puts their information-gathering roles inside the combat zone, where distance alone no longer protects them. Proposed Cold War sonar trawlers illustrate the problem: vessels once expected to work far from fighting would now be exposed. An enemy can interrupt long-range targeting by attacking observers and commanders, depriving the shooters of information. Those support vessels therefore need escorts or weapons capable of defending them, and scarce warships limit the escort option.