Tactics of Naval Combat Arms

This new volume from the Blue and Gold Professional Library describes and analyzes the tactical employment of naval combat arms, including surface forces, submarine forces, naval aviation, and naval special forces in a high-intensity conventional war at sea.

Tactics of Naval Combat Arms is framed by combat missions of each naval combat arm and explained as part of the much broader operational framework of obtaining or denying sea control. Tactical techniques and applications are explained in accessible terms, including coverage of naval special forces and respective unmanned vehicles. The book contains extensive resources covering the scouting methods used by surface combatants, attack submarines, and naval combat/ASW aircraft, avoidance maneuvering by submarines, and use of weapons by naval aircraft. Written as a sequel to Milan Vego’s General Naval Tactics, this new work offers essential insight for naval tacticians and strategists.

Dr. Milan Vego is Professor of Operations, Joint Military Operations (JMO) Department, U.S. Naval War College, Newport, RI. (since August 1991). He is Admiral R.K. Turner Professor of Operational Art (2011) and University Professor (2017). Dr. Vego is a graduate of the former Yugoslav Naval Academy (1961) and is a licensed Master Mariner (1973). He served for twelve years as an officer in the former Yugoslav Navy and for three years as 2nd Officer (Deck) in the former West German merchant marine. He obtained political asylum in the United States in 1976. He is the author of sixteen books, including General Naval Tactics (Naval Institute Press, October 2020) and Operational Art. Theory and Practice (Routledge Publishers, March 2025.)