ABSTRACT
Operational design is a loose collection of diverse elements that the naval operational commander and his staff should consider in developing the basic plan for a maritime campaign or major naval operations. In generic terms, design for a maritime campaign and major naval operation may contain the following elements: desired strategic end state; the ultimate and intermediate objectives; force requirements; balancing operational factors against the ultimate/intermediate objectives, identification of the enemy and friendly centers of gravity; initial geostrategic positions and lines of operations; directions/axes; the operational idea; and operational sustainment (see Figure 4). Because of the much larger
scope of the objective to be accomplished and the corresponding differences in the factors of space, time, and force, the main elements of design for a maritime campaign differ qualitatively from those for a major naval operation. For example, the desired strategic end state is not normally part of the design for a major naval operation, but it can be an element of design for a maritime campaign. The initial geostrategic position plays a major role in designing a maritime campaign, while the initial lines of operations are the key element in planning a major naval operation.
