Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 4:15-4:22

When a tracking ship can become a command vessel

A missile-tracking ship can serve as a command vessel when it has enough communications and data-system capacity.

Command And ControlCommand ShipsMissile Tracking Ships
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Question

Would a missile-tracking ship make a good command vessel?

Short answer

Yes, if it has sufficient communications and data systems.

Notes

A tracking role does not by itself provide everything needed to direct other forces. The ship also needs sufficient signal links and data systems to receive, combine, and distribute information. Those capabilities determine whether sensor data can become useful command decisions. The brief answer frames a command ship as an information system carried by a hull.