US Navy's Newest Logistical Asset

Recently, David Axe, the publisher of the popular blog site, "War is Boring," has brought to light the newest addition to the United States Navy's fleet. The Maersk Cragside was built in 2011 and weighs in at approximately at 30,000 tons. At 633 feet, this converted cargo ship now is classified as an airframe carrier as well as a potential home for special operations personnel and high tech-equipment.

Axe cites some of the advantages of this "mothership," to include its ability to travel up to 8,000 miles at its maximum and to only need resupply after 45 days. The length of its trips factored in with such a high number for days without resupply will surely grant this vessel the opportunity to hold troops and become a multifaceted supply/troop carrying beneficiary.


So what does this mean? Why is a brand new ship important to anyone outside of the navy...especially us Army guys who can't stand those "goats."
 

It is simple; speed and size are huge factors in today's combat world. It is comforting to Military Sea-lift Command (MSC) to have a weapon that can travel up to 20 knots in 20 foot seas. It's speed alone coupled with the additional support of possible special operations forces make this ship its own self-functioning war machine.


This vessel will have the capabilities to hold any helicopter that the United States Military has in its arsenal to include the MH-53E ( US Navy Helicopter ). The ship also has a hangar big enough to hold two helicopters for maintenance and is equipped with new state of the art lighting systems that enables the use of night vision goggles to ensure light discipline if placed in an environment where secrecy is required.With regards to its official mission, the MSC has regret to inform the public just yet in hopes to keep the debut of this ship beneath the radar.

The Cragside has been spotted most recently in Valencia Harbor, Italy.









In regards to the G-T-S-R model, this ship bodes well for both transportation and redeployment. Its speed and size will allow troops as well as supplies to be moved from point A to point B quickly and efficiently with it's own crew being self-sufficient for up to 45 days. Its redeployment strategies will also be maximized seeing as it is classified by Axe as, " a floating air base, barracks, and headquarters all in a package that, because it looks like a cargo ship, should be able to avoid easy detection."

Early into World War I, the United States encountered a problem that was virtually new to its striving war efforts...The military had to be supplied from across an ocean! Gone were the days of supplying a force south of the Mason Dixon Line, gone were the days of simple railroad resupply, instead they had to supply a war effort that did not take place in their back yard. From New York Harbor to any of the ports on the Western Coast of France is a whopping 3, 860 or so miles! In the early 1900's that trip was one that would require more than a week or two. The struggle to resupply quickly was one major issue that logisticians faced early into the war and they were desperate for some sort of solution. I am sure some of those captains that made the long haul across the Atlantic wished that they could have navigated with the Maersk Cragside, cruising through storm-sized waves at a mind blowing 25 miles per hour.

Looking forward to the future we can use that little bit of history to foresee how this new creation could change the potential battlefield or in this case...battle ocean. The sleek yet very simple design of taking an old cargo ship that does not turn many heads leads to brand new thought. How could another country know it's true purpose? What are the capabilities of our Special Operations community with such a secretive piece of hardware. People would not see this as a carrier of war but instead a simple cargo ship floating in a port city's harbor. The Maersk Cragside brings forth the new idea of secrecy and deception, something that can help the United State's navy keep control of foreign waters if need be. Aside from its secrecy component, the ship also brings forth the idea of quicker resupply through difficult and more challenging scenarios. The fact that this ship can navigate stormy seas is a dream for those logisticians who had to cancel shipments due to dangerous storms and other weather factors. The upbringing of this ship opens up a brand new realm of transportation, resupply and redeployment.


We will look to the next few months for more details on the Cragside's actual mission and where it is going to help soldiers first.