Modern naval operations increasingly take place within the littoral zone, close to shore, where ships are exposed to an elevated number of threats from land. Whether operating in confined waters, berthed alongside, anchored in a bay or deploying forces ashore, maritime commanders must understand how the surrounding terrain can be used both for and against them.
The Force Protection Planning Tool (FPPT) brings clarity to this environment. It enables naval and marine units to exploit the environment for tactical advantage, using FPPT to analyse coastal terrain, identify direct, indirect and drone threats, plan beach approaches, assess helicopter landing sites ashore and coordinate disaster relief or NEO operations through a single digital planning system.
Understanding the maritime threat picture
The maritime domain is a multi-dimensional battlespace that is no longer defined by open water alone. Littoral zones are complex operational environments where ships operating close to the coastline face many of the same threats encountered by Land forces. Typical risks include:
• Direct fires from shore such as small arms, heavy machine guns and sniper fire directed at key superstructure, sensors or exposed personnel
• Indirect fires including rockets or mortars launched from covered or elevated terrain
• sUAS used for reconnaissance, targeting or direct attack against ships, boats or personnel ashore
• Hostile groups or irregular forces exploiting urban coastlines to attack ships at anchor or alongside
These threats become more acute in confined waterways, choke points, harbours, straits and river approaches where manoeuvre space is limited and the shoreline is close enough to enable precision fire.
FPPT enables commanders to model these threats using accurate digital terrain and surface data, providing a clear picture of where attacks could originate and how ships can mitigate risk.
Force protection while alongside
Ships berthed alongside in foreign ports, military docks or austere locations are particularly vulnerable. Shorelines can contain elevated areas, urban structures, vegetation and dead ground that offer concealment for hostile actors.
FPPT allows teams to:
• Identify direct fire and indirect fire positions at any radius around the berth
• Assess sniper or elevated firing points that overlook the upper deck
• Model drone approach paths from urban or rural terrain
• Prioritise arcs for upper deck sentries and weapon mounts
• Plan patrol routes for force protection or security teams ashore, channeling effort and reducing workforce requirements where appropriate
Historically, units relied on paper charts, binoculars and experience. FPPT replaces that with real data, faster planning cycles and more confident decision-making, enabling commanders to employ more effective preventative measures rather than relying solely on reactive tasking.
Force protection at anchor or in confined waters
When ships operate at anchor, they may be within range of weapons fired from the coastline. FPPT can evaluate:
• How surrounding terrain enables or blocks lines of sight
• Where mortars or rockets could be launched from
• Where small groups could approach to engage with direct fire
• Land areas that provide cover for sUAS launch
This allows naval commanders to make informed decisions on the safety of planned anchorages, position upper deck weapon systems more effectively and brief the Force Protection Organisation with detailed, terrain-informed threat maps.
Supporting landing craft and amphibious operations
Royal Marines and other amphibious forces require detailed understanding of the terrain they will land on, the threats they may face and the routes they can take inland.
FPPT provides:
• Enhancement of any tactical exploitation of the environment assessments
• Identification of likely firing positions along the beach or littoral approach
• Modelling of safe routes for landing craft or RIBs
• Assessment of risk to Marines as they disembark and clear the beachhead
• Integration of helicopter landing site analysis ashore
• Support to selecting primary and secondary beach landing locations
• Help to generate safer routes for organic aircraft in support of operations
These insights allow commanders to plan insertions that minimise exposure and maximise tempo.
Helicopter operations ashore
Naval forces frequently deploy helicopters ashore during amphibious operations, Casualty Evacuation missions or humanitarian relief tasks.
FPPT can automatically identify helicopter landing sites based on:
• D-value (aircraft size and rotor clearance)
• Gradient and slope
• Day or night considerations
• Exposure to direct fire, MANPADS or drone threats
• The generation of safer routes for organic aircraft in support of operations
This ensures aircrew and troops land in areas that are both accessible and protected.
Humanitarian aid, disaster relief and NEO
Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief and Non Combatant Evacuation Operations require detailed situational awareness and rapid planning in chaotic environments where infrastructure is damaged or incomplete.
FPPT supports these tasks by allowing crews to:
• Load historic maps to identify pre-disaster building layouts
• Plan building searches or reconnaissance tasks
• Mark incidents such as fires, collapses or flooding
• Track patrols and landing parties
• Maintain an electronic incident board that updates in real time
Gone are the days of relying on a whiteboard in the Ops Room or rough sketches of street layouts or distressed locals for information. FPPT gives naval commanders and landing forces a clear, shared understanding of the terrain and evolving situation ashore.
In summary
The maritime environment demands rapid, accurate and terrain-informed force protection planning. FPPT provides naval and marine commanders with the tools to anticipate threats, strengthen defensive posture, support amphibious operations and coordinate humanitarian or evacuation missions with confidence. It delivers clarity in a complex theatre of operations, whether local or global, where ships, helicopters and landing parties are most at risk.
If you would like to explore this further, we would be happy to arrange a demo. Call us on +44 (0)1794 834750 or email enquiries@cunningrunning.co.uk.
Alternatively, connect with us on LinkedIn and follow the Cunning Running company page, or the LinkedIn pages of Phil Cowell or John Overend.
