Master’s degree1,500 h · Online · 11 modules

Master's in Naval Operations and Maritime Warfare Tactics

This master's offers comprehensive training in modern naval strategy and combat. It prepares you to plan, direct and assess complex operations in today's maritime environment, shaped by rapid technological change and diverse threats: the foundations of sea power and naval thought, maritime situational awareness and ISR, naval command and operational planning, surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, air defense and naval aviation, amphibious and maritime special operations, mine warfare, electronic warfare and cyber operations, naval logistics and sustainment, and the operational law and rules of engagement that frame the use of force at sea.

Duration1,500 h

ModeOnline

Start1 December

Modules11

Program diagnosis

Prior knowledge check

These are the skills this program gives you. Tick the ones you already master and we will tell you which part of the syllabus is for you.

Your diagnosis

6of 6 to cover

You are starting from scratch in this subject. The program is designed precisely for that.

About the program

What is the Master's in Naval Operations and Maritime Warfare Tactics?

This master's covers naval warfare at the strategic, operational and tactical levels. You will begin with the concepts of sea power, sea control and sea denial, the history of naval warfare and the main schools of naval thought; move on to the maritime operating environment, situational awareness, ISR and multisensor data fusion; study naval command, operational planning, operation design, the OODA loop and operational orders; then examine surface combat and anti-ship warfare, anti-submarine and submarine operations, naval air defense and carrier aviation, amphibious operations, maritime special operations and littoral warfare, mine warfare, electronic warfare and naval cyber operations; and finish with naval logistics, replenishment at sea, force readiness and resilience, and the international law, rules of engagement and maritime security operations that govern the use of force.

What sets this master's apart: rather than focusing on a single warfare area, it integrates surface, subsurface, air, amphibious, electromagnetic and cyber domains with command, logistics and operational law, so you learn to think about a naval campaign as a whole; and in the Final Project you design a complete naval campaign for a chosen maritime scenario, with its force architecture, concept of operations, command and control plan, risk assessment and sustainment plan.

Program typeMaster’s degree

ModeOnline

Duration1,500 hours

Modules11

Start1 December

Program highlights

Sea power, sea control and sea denial, the history of naval warfare, schools of naval thought and maritime geopolitics.
Maritime situational awareness, ISR systems, contact classification, deception and multisensor data fusion.
Naval command, operational planning, operation design, the OODA loop and operational orders and control measures.
Surface warfare, anti-submarine and submarine operations, air defense, carrier aviation and amphibious and maritime special operations.
Mine warfare and mine countermeasures, electronic warfare, naval cyber operations and operations in a contested electromagnetic spectrum.
Naval logistics and sustainment, force readiness and resilience, operational law, rules of engagement and maritime security operations.

Syllabus

Syllabus of the Master's in Naval Operations and Maritime Warfare Tactics

11 modules. Select a module to see its content.

Module 1

Strategic foundations of sea power, the theory of operations at sea and the historical evolution of naval warfare

1.1. The concepts of sea power, command of the sea, sea denial and control of sea lines of communication in contemporary strategy
1.2. Historical evolution of naval warfare: from classic fleet battles to multidomain operations and high-intensity maritime competition
1.3. The main schools of naval thought and their influence on the conduct of maritime, expeditionary and deterrence operations
1.4. The relationship between maritime geopolitics, naval geography, chokepoints and the strategic projection of modern navies
1.5. Levels of naval warfare: strategic, operational and tactical, with their respective command and execution interfaces
1.6. Types of naval operations: presence, surveillance, escort, blockade, interdiction, sea control, amphibious projection and high-intensity combat
1.7. Key factors of naval success: doctrine, training, intelligence, logistics, technology, leadership and force cohesion
1.8. The relationship between naval forces, air power, submarine capabilities, cyberspace and joint operations in complex maritime scenarios
1.9. Current trends in naval combat: long-range missiles, distributed sensors, uncrewed systems and warfare in contested environments
1.10. Conceptual basis for the integrated study of naval operations and maritime warfare tactics in the 21st century

At this stage

136 hestimated workload

11 wkweeks at your pace

Module 2

The maritime operating environment, situational awareness and preparation of the theater for highly complex naval operations

2.1. Characterizing the maritime operating space: open ocean, littoral waters, archipelagos, straits, polar regions and semi-enclosed seas
2.2. Influence of the physical environment on naval operations: weather, oceanography, sea state, visibility, electromagnetic propagation and seabed
2.3. Preparation of the operating environment: reconnaissance, hydrographic intelligence, tactical charting and analysis of maritime terrain
2.4. Maritime situational awareness: building, maintaining and losing the common operational picture in dynamic and contested environments
2.5. ISR systems applied to naval combat: shipborne sensors, maritime patrol, satellites, SIGINT, coastal radars and surveillance networks
2.6. Identification, classification and tracking of surface, submarine, air and asymmetric contacts in disputed maritime areas
2.7. Managing uncertainty and deception at sea: signatures, tactical camouflage, emissions, silencing and operational disinformation
2.8. Planning patrol areas, exclusion zones, maritime corridors and tactical surveillance sectors
2.9. Multisensor data integration and information fusion for real-time tactical decision-making
2.10. Continuous assessment of the operating environment as the basis for maneuver, survivability and tactical advantage of the naval force

At this stage

136 hestimated workload

11 wkweeks at your pace

Module 3

Naval command, operational planning and decision-making in combat and maritime security operations

3.1. Foundations of naval command: authority, commander's intent, decentralization, tactical discipline and command under uncertainty
3.2. Command and control structures in naval forces: task groups, task forces, amphibious groups, combined forces and joint maritime components
3.3. The naval operational planning process: mission, threat analysis, courses of action, choice of maneuver and synchronization of capabilities
3.4. Designing the naval operation: objective, center of gravity, desired effects, phases, decisive points and culmination criteria
3.5. Tactical decision-making in naval combat: threat prioritization, weapons employment, evasive maneuvering and exploiting windows of opportunity
3.6. Managing the OODA loop in maritime combat and its influence on operational tempo and decision superiority
3.7. Preparing naval operational orders: fragmentary orders, execution matrices, control measures and engagement directives
3.8. Coordination between ships, naval aviation, submarines, special forces and external support in complex operations
3.9. Managing friction, degraded communications, casualties and loss of capabilities during mission execution
3.10. Post-mission assessment, lessons learned and doctrinal feedback to improve naval command performance

At this stage

136 hestimated workload

11 wkweeks at your pace

Module 4

Surface combat tactics, naval maneuver and weapons employment in contemporary maritime engagements

4.1. Tactical principles of surface combat: formation, maneuver, dispersion, concentration and use of maritime space for tactical advantage
4.2. Anti-ship warfare tactics: detection, classification, targeting, coordinated launch and defense against surface threats
4.3. Tactical employment of naval guns, cruise missiles, guided munitions and close-in weapon systems in real combat scenarios
4.4. Tactical maneuvering of naval groups against simultaneous air, surface, submarine and missile saturation threats
4.5. Escort tactics and protection of convoys, high-value units and logistics groups in high-risk areas
4.6. Maritime interdiction operations, visit, board, search and seizure and coercive control of shipping in crisis or conflict
4.7. Littoral tactics and warfare in restricted waters: coastal threats, anti-ship missiles, mines and hostile fast craft
4.8. Ship survivability in combat: damage control, signature reduction, casualty management and preservation of combat capability
4.9. Tactical coordination between surface platforms with different sensors, weapons and engagement envelopes
4.10. Analysis of recent naval engagements to identify tactical patterns, recurring mistakes and emerging surface warfare doctrine

At this stage

136 hestimated workload

11 wkweeks at your pace

Module 5

Anti-submarine warfare, submarine operations and control of the undersea domain in modern naval warfare

5.1. Foundations of anti-submarine warfare and the tactical use of the submarine as a platform for deterrence, denial and strategic strike
5.2. The undersea acoustic environment: sound propagation, thermal layers, radiated noise and oceanographic factors affecting detection and survivability
5.3. ASW sensors and systems: hull-mounted sonar, towed sonar, sonobuoys, MAD, fixed sensors and tactical fusion of undersea information
5.4. Tactics for searching, localizing, tracking and classifying submarine contacts in deep and littoral waters
5.5. Coordinated operations between surface ships, helicopters, maritime patrol aircraft and friendly submarines in ASW campaigns
5.6. Tactical employment of torpedoes, anti-submarine rockets and undersea attack weapons in different operational scenarios
5.7. Submarine doctrine and maneuver: patrol, infiltration, shadowing, stealth attack and evasion in sensor-dense environments
5.8. Protecting naval groups against the submarine threat: ASW screens, exclusion zones and layered defense
5.9. Anti-submarine warfare around critical undersea infrastructure, chokepoints and strategically sensitive areas
5.10. Future trends in submarine operations: UUVs, distributed sensors, acoustic artificial intelligence and new forms of undersea control

At this stage

136 hestimated workload

11 wkweeks at your pace

Module 6

Air-naval warfare, force air defense and coordination between embarked aviation and surface units

6.1. Foundations of air-naval warfare: integrating air and naval platforms for surveillance, strike, defense and support to maritime maneuver
6.2. Naval air defense architecture: early detection, classification, weapons assignment and successive layers of force protection
6.3. Air defense tactics against crewed aircraft, anti-ship missiles, drones and coordinated saturation attacks
6.4. Employment of naval helicopters and carrier aviation in anti-submarine warfare, over-the-horizon targeting and support to special operations
6.5. Coordination between ships, naval fighters, AEW aircraft and command and control systems to build an integrated air-naval shield
6.6. Air-naval strike operations: planning strike packages, penetration, threat suppression and damage assessment
6.7. Maritime airspace management, deconfliction and control of flight corridors in complex naval operations
6.8. Defending carrier groups and high-value units against long-range and low-signature air threats
6.9. Integrating electronic warfare, deception, decoys and soft-kill measures into force air defense
6.10. Operational lessons from the evolution of air-naval warfare in 20th and 21st century conflicts and their doctrinal outlook

At this stage

136 hestimated workload

11 wkweeks at your pace

Module 7

Amphibious operations, power projection, maritime special operations and littoral warfare

7.1. Foundations of amphibious operations: projecting power from the sea, establishing beachheads and supporting joint campaigns
7.2. Planning an amphibious operation: littoral intelligence, beach selection, assault windows, supporting fires and landing sequence
7.3. Integration of the naval force, land component, embarked aviation and logistics support in expeditionary operations from the sea
7.4. Tactical employment of amphibious ships, landing craft, helicopters and assault assets in permissive and non-permissive scenarios
7.5. Maritime special operations: insertion, extraction, special reconnaissance, direct action and sabotage against coastal or naval targets
7.6. Warfare in littoral and restricted waters: coastal threats, A2/AD systems, mines, drones and irregular actors
7.7. Force protection during amphibious operations: beach security, air defense, anti-submarine warfare and surface cover
7.8. Evacuation, rescue and personnel recovery operations in tactically tense maritime and littoral areas
7.9. Sustaining landed forces and logistics continuity from sea to shore in hostile environments
7.10. Analysis of historical and contemporary amphibious campaigns to identify doctrine, critical capabilities and recurring execution errors

At this stage

136 hestimated workload

11 wkweeks at your pace

Module 8

Mine warfare, electronic warfare, naval cyber operations and competition in the electromagnetic spectrum

8.1. Foundations of naval mine warfare and its role in sea denial, closing approaches and protecting sensitive areas
8.2. Types of mines, laying methods, activation and offensive and defensive tactical use in maritime and littoral areas
8.3. Mine countermeasure operations: detection, classification, neutralization and clearing safe channels for the naval force
8.4. Principles of naval electronic warfare: electronic support, electronic attack and electronic protection on modern maritime platforms
8.5. Managing electromagnetic signatures, emission control, decoys, spoofing and deliberate degradation of enemy sensors and weapons
8.6. Naval cyber operations against the command, navigation, sensor, weapon and logistics networks of adversary forces
8.7. Cyber-physical protection of ships and naval groups against intrusion, data manipulation, denial of service and digital sabotage
8.8. Integrating electronic warfare, cyberattack and tactical maneuver to achieve information superiority and operational advantage
8.9. Operations in a contested electromagnetic spectrum: resilient communications, degraded navigation and continued combat under heavy interference
8.10. Emerging trends in smart mines, cognitive electronic warfare, naval cyberattack and the convergence of domains in maritime combat

At this stage

136 hestimated workload

11 wkweeks at your pace

Module 9

Naval logistics, campaign sustainment, force readiness and operational resilience at sea

9.1. Foundations of naval sustainment: supply, maintenance, medical support, personnel, ammunition and continuity of prolonged operations
9.2. Logistics of naval forces on long-range deployments: replenishment at sea, port calls, forward hubs and dependence on the strategic supply chain
9.3. Managing fuel, provisions, spare parts, weapons and critical resources in naval groups at high operational tempo
9.4. Technical and tactical force preparation: readiness certification, pre-deployment training and validation of capabilities
9.5. Maintaining the availability of platforms, sensors and weapons under continuous operation and accelerated wear
9.6. Protecting naval logistics against surface, submarine, air, cyber and irregular threats
9.7. Resilience of the naval force to breakdowns, partial losses, casualties and degradation of combat capability during the campaign
9.8. Human factors in sustaining combat: fatigue, morale, rotation, leadership and psychological stability of crews in prolonged operations
9.9. Operational continuity under logistics denial, blockade, geographical isolation or degradation of supporting port infrastructure
9.10. Designing robust naval sustainment models for prolonged conflicts, combined deployments and highly contested maritime theaters

At this stage

136 hestimated workload

11 wkweeks at your pace

Module 10

Operational law, rules of engagement and maritime security operations

10.1. International law applicable to naval operations
10.2. Rules of engagement
10.3. Use of force in maritime security operations
10.4. Interdiction and visit operations
10.5. Countering piracy and maritime terrorism
10.6. Peace support and humanitarian assistance operations
10.7. Non-combatant evacuation
10.8. Multinational cooperation and NATO
10.9. Protection of maritime traffic
10.10. Analysis of recent operations

At this stage

136 hestimated workload

11 wkweeks at your pace

Module 11

Final Project

11.1. Choosing the strategic scenario and defining the maritime operational problem addressed by the Final Project
11.2. Characterizing the maritime theater: geography, physical environment, threats, actors, own capabilities and campaign constraints
11.3. Identifying strategic, operational and tactical objectives and building the mission framework and desired end state
11.4. Designing the force architecture: naval composition and air, submarine, amphibious, ISR, logistics and multidomain support capabilities
11.5. Developing the concept of operations: campaign phases, tactical sequence, control measures and synchronization between components
11.6. Developing the command and control plan: hierarchical structure, information flow, decision management and C2 continuity in combat
11.7. Integrating surface, anti-submarine, air-naval, amphibious, electronic and cyber tactics according to the chosen scenario
11.8. Assessing risks, vulnerabilities and contingencies and the mitigation measures that preserve freedom of action and force survivability
11.9. Building the sustainment, recovery and exploitation plan for operational results throughout the designed campaign
11.10. Presentation and defense of the Final Project: strategic rationale, tactical coherence, operational feasibility and doctrinal lessons drawn from the proposed design

At this stage

136 hestimated workload

11 wkweeks at your pace

Plan your pace

Duration and format of the Master's in Naval Operations and Maritime Warfare Tactics

It is 1,500 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.

Hours per week

4 h30 h

With 12 h per week

months to finish

125 weeks

weeks in total

This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.

Faculty

Academic leadership and faculty

The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.

Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance

Eng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints

Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator

Dr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory

Dr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator

Eng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator

Eng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line

Eng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration Coordinator

Objectives

Objectives of the Master's in Naval Operations and Maritime Warfare Tactics

01Master the integrated management of resources in maritime conflict scenarios, giving priority to the safety of navigation and crew through emergency procedures, damage control and effective communication in high-risk situations.

02Develop innovative and adaptive naval combat strategies that integrate predictive analysis of enemy behavior and modeling of the operating environment to optimize resource allocation and the execution of maneuvers.

03Lead and coordinate complex naval operations, planning and executing coordinated combat, rescue and interdiction maneuvers that integrate air, land and undersea platforms while optimizing resources and minimizing risk.

04Analyze and anticipate maritime threats to protect national interests, integrating maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), assessing vulnerabilities and developing proactive contingency plans.

05Improve interoperability between naval units and allied forces by standardizing communication protocols and data systems to enable real-time information exchange during joint operations.

06Assess and mitigate operational risks to ensure mission success by identifying internal, external, human and technical threats, implementing safety barriers and contingency plans and validating them through regular drills.

Careers

Career opportunities after the Master's in Naval Operations and Maritime Warfare Tactics

01Naval officerplanning and execution of naval operations and management of resources and personnel.

02Naval intelligence analystcollection, analysis and dissemination of strategic information for decision-making.

03Naval strategist or defense researcherdevelopment of plans, strategies and new concepts for maritime defense and security.

04Naval electronic warfare specialistoperation of electronic warfare systems, countermeasures and signal analysis.

05Maritime security advisorrisk assessment, security planning and consulting for government and private organizations.

06Instructor in naval training centers or officer in maritime special operationstraining of future officers and specialists, or participation in special operations in the maritime environment.

Frequently asked questions

Questions about the Master's in Naval Operations and Maritime Warfare Tactics

Yes. It combines the concepts of sea power and naval strategy with the practical planning and tactics of surface, anti-submarine, air-naval, amphibious, mine, electronic and cyber warfare, applied through case studies and planning exercises.

Both. The program moves from the strategic level of sea power and campaign design through the operational level of planning and command down to the tactical employment of ships, aircraft, submarines and weapons.

Yes. The program is also open to merchant marine officers, defense and security analysts, engineers working with naval systems and graduates in related fields; the admission interview helps confirm that your profile fits.

Yes. A module is dedicated to the international law applicable to naval operations, rules of engagement, the use of force in maritime security operations, interdiction, counter-piracy, humanitarian operations and multinational cooperation.

Surface warfare, anti-submarine and submarine operations, air defense and carrier aviation, amphibious and maritime special operations, littoral warfare, mine warfare, electronic warfare and naval cyber operations, plus logistics and sustainment.

Yes. The program looks at long-range missiles, distributed sensors, drones and UUVs, acoustic artificial intelligence, smart mines, cognitive electronic warfare and the convergence of domains in maritime combat.

Through case analyses, planning exercises and tactical problems in each module and a Final Project in which you design and defend a complete naval campaign for a chosen maritime scenario.

A master's degree issued by Navalis Institute as its own qualification, together with the plans, analyses and campaign design you produce during the program, which you can use as a professional portfolio.

Related programs

More programs in Safety and survival

View the whole area →

Short course · 300 hPsychology of Stress in Emergencies Course$430 · View program →Short course · 300 hRecreational Water Rescue Techniques Course$440 · View program →Short course · 300 hOperational Safety Protocols Course$460 · View program →

Online admission

Admission process

No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.

Entry requirements

Profile: aimed at navy officers, current and future commanders, naval intelligence analysts, naval engineers and technicians working with weapon and defense systems, and maritime security professionals; experience as a navy or merchant marine officer in command or staff roles, or a degree in defense, security, engineering or a related field together with an interest in naval operations, is recommended.
Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date web browser and a PDF viewer.
Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.

01
Application
Your details, background and documents.
02
Instant review
We check that everything is complete and in order.
03
Enrollment
Choose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.

Start my applicationFrom $952 deposit

Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.

Any questions?

Ask us before you enroll

Leave your details and admissions will write to you to answer any questions. If you are already sure, you can apply and pay in the same session.

Enroll now