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Surface warfare isnaval warfare involvingsurface ships.[1] It is one of the four operational areas of naval warfare, the others beingunderwater warfare,aerial warfare, andinformation warfare.[2] Surface warfare is the oldest and most basic form of naval warfare, though modern surface warfare doctrine originated in the mid-20th century.
Modern surface warfare dates from the mid-20th century, when surface, air, and submarine warfare components were blended together as a tactical unit to achieve strategic objectives. InUnited States Navy doctrine, the two most important strategic objectives areinterdiction andsea control.
Surface warfare (SuW) is conducted by a surface ship to eliminate a threat, which may includeAnti-surface warfare (ASuW),anti-air warfare (AAW),anti-submarine warfare (ASW),naval gunfire support (NGFS), riverine operations,mine warfare, andelectronic warfare.
In the second half of the 20th century, the importance of naval surface power was reduced as air and submarine warfare platforms demonstrated their capabilities, as in theBattle of Taranto, theBattle of Pearl Harbor, and thesinking ofPrince of Wales andRepulse.
Following World War II, guidedanti-ship missiles required new[clarification needed] tactics and doctrines. Small, fast, relatively cheapmissile boats became a threat for large ships, much more serious than previoustorpedo boats, as in theWar of Attrition, whenEgyptian missile boats struck and sank the Israeli destroyerEilat on 20 October 1967.
Surface combatant ships includebattleships,aircraft carriers,cruisers,destroyers,frigates, and others. Surface combatants also includemine warfare ships,amphibious command ships,coastal defense ships,amphibious assault ships, and many others. An important facet of naval warfare are however the support ships (that is, non-combat ships): freighters,oilers,hospital ships,tugs,troop transports, and otherauxiliary ships. In the U.S. Navy model, now widespread in the world, various types of ships would be primarily organized into thecarrier battle group.
