R-928 
November 1989 
By John F. Peel Brahtz, Ph. D 
: Sponsored By Naval Civil 
Technical Re ort Engineering Laboratory 
MODULARIZED OCEAN BASING 
SYSTEM - A UNITED STATES 
OPTION IN A STRATEGY OF 
DISCRIMINATE DETERRENCE 
(Circa 2000) 
ABSTRACT This report investigates the feasibility of employing 
MOBS, the Modularized Ocean Basing System, as an alternative to 
fixed land basing overseas. MOBS is a concept for floating bases 
that could serve to project United States power as part of a U.S. 
forward strategy of "Discriminate Deterrence". The requirement for 
such an alternative to land basing becomes increasingly likely in a 
typical Third World scenario of growing nationalism and denial of 
extraterritorial rights to the U.S. This trend is likely t 
amplified following recent changes in the poitcat attitude of Gomy 
munist Block nations and the Soviet Union. i DOU Wie! 
wae LY 2 ff RY 
LIG 
Woods Hole Oc ceanographic 
Institution 
\VAL CIVIL ENGINEERING LABORATORY PORT HUENEME CALIFORNIA 93043-5003 
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| we R AA Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. 
