Over-the-beach capability

Royal Marines conducting an amphibious warfare exercise

A primary measure of a nation's power projection is its over-the-beach capability (OTB). This consists of the number of soldiers, tanks, vehicles, and helicopters that a nation can stage over an adversary's defended coast in a time of war. Generally, these elements only count if they can be projected across hundreds of kilometers of open ocean. Over-the-beach capability determines a nation's power projection together with forward airpower (strength of aircraft carriers and/or overseas airbases), alliances, and nuclear options.

See also

References

Further reading

  • Alexander, Joseph H., and Merrill L. Bartlett. Sea Soldiers in the Cold War: Amphibious Warfare, 1945-1991 (1994)
  • Bartlett, Merrill L. Assault from the Sea: Essays on the History of Amphibious Warfare (1993)
  • Ireland, Bernard. The World Encyclopedia of Amphibious Warfare Vessels: An illustrated history of modern amphibious warfare (2011)

External links

  • US Army Field Manual 100-10 Chapter 1: Power Projection
  • US Army Field Manual 100-7 Chapter 6: Force Projection