Naval Formations (NATO Formations)

To concentrate a group along a single track for orderly passage or manoeuvring, so every ship follows water the lead ship has already used.

When used: Entering or leaving harbour, transiting a swept or surveyed channel, passing through narrow or restricted water, and for tidy long-distance steaming.

Maximum Single Corpen

180°

Automatic Guide Change

When altering course by a corpen maneuver in a column formation, the lead ship in the column automatically becomes the Guide. Remaining ships follow in the wake of the lead ship. In a multiple column formation, the lead ship of the column on the side toward which the formation is altering course becomes the formation Guide and line guide of its column. Leading ships of the remaining columns become line guides and alter course and speed as necessary to resume their relative bearing and distance to the formation Guide. Remaining ships in each column follow the movements of their line guide.

How the OTC Orders It

• FORM 1 Form a column.
• FORM 2 Form a column in reverse order of sequence numbers.
• FORM 5 Form a second column to starboard of the first, line guides bearing abeam.
• FORM 6 Form a second column to port of the first, line guides bearing abeam.
• FORM A Form a column formation in the quickest sequence on the most advanced ship on the present course. Remaining ships are to form astern of that ship in the quickest sequence, according to their positions relative to that ship. If the ship to be formed on is indicated, ships are to form ahead or astern in the quickest sequence.
• FORM F PORT or STBD Reverse the order of ships in column in succession from the rear. Ships are to sheer out on the side indicated. One or two numerals may be added to indicate speed of all ships except the rear ship. The rear ship automatically becomes the Guide and increases speed to one knot less than stationing speed, passing the ships ahead of her on the side indicated.
• FORM 1 STATION 1 DESIG ABC STATION 2 DESIG DEF G FORM DESIG ABC Form a column. Ship ABC in station 1, ship DEF in station 2. Formation Guide is ship ABC.

To spread a group across the widest possible front so their combined detection covers a broad area.

When used: Searching or sweeping an area, screening ahead of a formation, and approaching a coast where wide coverage matters more than a single track.

Maximum Single Corpen

90°

Automatic Guide Change

When altering course by a corpen maneuver in a line abreast formation, the ship on the end of the line toward which the formation is altering course automatically becomes the Guide. In a multiple line abreast formation, the new guide in the lead line becomes the formation Guide. The end ship in remaining lines become line guides and adjust course and speed as needed to resume relative bearing and distance to the Guide. Remaining ships maneuver to maintain relative bearing and distance to their line guide.

How the OTC Orders It

• FORM 3 Form a line abreast to starboard.
• FORM 4 Form a line abreast to port.
• FORM 9 Form a second line abreast to starboard, line guides bearing astern.
• FORM 10 Form a second line abreast to port, line guides bearing astern.
• FORM B Form a line abreast formation in the quickest sequence on the Guide or ship indicated, on the present course or course indicated, at present distance if already formed, or at standard distance or distance indicated. Ships are to form on the nearest beam of the Guide or ship indicated, relative to that ship’s course or the course indicated, in the quickest sequence according to their positions relative to the Guide.

To angle the line so the formation covers a chosen sector, or to offset ships from the Guide's wake while keeping a broad front.

When used: Search and screening where a slanted front suits the threat axis, and when repositioning between a column and a line abreast.

Maximum Single Corpen

Corpen not used.

Automatic Guide Change

Automatic Guide changes do not occur in a line of bearing formation because a corpen maneuver should not be executed by ships in a line of bearing.

How the OTC Orders It

• FORM (PORT or STBD) (0 to 18) Form a line of bearing formation on a relative bearing in tens of degrees (0 to 18) from the Guide or ship indicated on the present course or course indicated.
• FORM (000 to 359) Form a line of bearing formation on a true bearing from the Guide or ship indicated on the present course or course indicated.
• FORM 120 Form a line of bearing on a bearing of 120° T from the Guide on the present course.
• FORM PORT 15 STATION 1 DESIG ABC STATION 2 DESIG DEF G FORM DESIG ABC B CORPEN 000 Form a line of bearing formation on a relative bearing of 210° R from ship ABC, which is assigned station 1; ship DEF is assigned station 2. Formation Guide is ship ABC. Base course is 000° T.

To keep a column's simplicity while opening the ships out laterally, so each has a clearer view past the ship ahead.

When used: Passage where a strict single file is unnecessary and a wider, staggered column is easier to keep and to see from.

Maximum Single Corpen

180°

Automatic Guide Change

When altering course by a corpen maneuver, ships in a column open order formation first form a column on the lead ship as Guide and follow the procedures for a column formation. Upon completion of the maneuver by all ships, ships reform in a column open order.

How the OTC Orders It

• FORM E Form a column open order formation.
• FORM E (Chapter 11 amplification) In forming a column open order formation, ships are displaced on both sides of the course, even numbered ships (counting from the leading ship) forming to port and odd-numbered ships to starboard. The leading ship automatically becomes the Guide. The second ship forms 4° on the port quarter of the Guide and the third ship 2° on the starboard quarter of the Guide; remaining ships form alternately astern of the second or third ship on the appropriate side. Ships are to form at the same distance from the Guide as if they were in column. If the column is already formed, ships are to remain at their present ordered distance unless otherwise directed.

To give a compact group all-round cover with the Guide at the front and mutual support on both quarters.

When used: When a small group needs a tight, balanced shape rather than a long thin line.

Maximum Single Corpen

30°

Automatic Guide Change

When altering course by a corpen maneuver, the lead ship in the Diamond becomes the Guide and alters its heading to the new course. Remaining ships maneuver to maintain relative bearing and distance to the Guide.

How the OTC Orders It

• FORM D Form a diamond formation.
• FORM D (Chapter 11 amplification) A diamond formation can only be formed when ships are in a column formation. The leading ship automatically becomes the Guide. The second ship in the column is to form on the port quarter of the Guide, the third ship on the starboard quarter of the Guide, and the fourth ship in the wake of the Guide. If there are more than four ships, additional ships are to form a second diamond on the fourth ship, odd numbers (counting from the leading ship) forming to starboard, even numbers forming to port. Unless otherwise ordered ships are to use their present ordered distance (d). See paragraph 0304 for Guide changes.

To handle a larger group by breaking it into lines, so no single ship has to keep station on a distant reference.

When used: Larger task groups where a single line would be unmanageably long or wide.

Maximum Single Corpen

180° (multiple column) · 90° (multiple line abreast)

Automatic Guide Change

In a multiple column formation, the lead ship of the column on the side toward which the formation is altering course becomes the formation Guide and line guide of its column. Leading ships of the remaining columns become line guides and alter course and speed as necessary to resume their relative bearing and distance to the formation Guide. Remaining ships in each column follow the movements of their line guide. In a multiple line abreast formation, the new guide in the lead line becomes the formation Guide. The end ship in remaining lines become line guides and adjust course and speed as needed to resume relative bearing and distance to the Guide.

How the OTC Orders It

• FORM 5 Form a second column to starboard of the first, line guides bearing abeam.
• FORM 6 Form a second column to port of the first, line guides bearing abeam.
• FORM 9 Form a second line abreast to starboard, line guides bearing astern.
• FORM 10 Form a second line abreast to port, line guides bearing astern.
• FORM U Ships resume previous relative bearings and distances from their line guides. Ships move independently.
• FORM V Line guides resume previous relative bearings and distances from the Guide. Line commanders move their lines by signal to take up new stations.
• FORM W Resume previous formation. Line guides resume previous relative bearings and distances from the Guide. Ships in line resume previous bearings and distances from their line guides. Line commanders direct movements.
• G FORM Formation Guide is ____ (in station ____ or bearing ____° T from this unit or unit indicated at a distance of ____ hundred yards).

To place a screen all round a centre, giving cover in every direction rather than along one axis.

When used: Screening a high-value unit, and any operation needing all-round coverage around a moving centre.

Maximum Single Corpen

Corpen not used.

Automatic Guide Change

Automatic Guide changes do not occur in a circular formation because a corpen maneuver should not be executed by ships in a circular formation.

How the OTC Orders It

• FORM 14 Form a circular formation with stations as indicated.
• FORM (15 to 19) Form circular formation designated in the tasking message.
• FORM 14 STATION 1 DESIG ZZ STATION 2 DESIG 030050 ZZ 1 ANS 52 Form circular formation with station 1 at ZZ and station 2 bearing 30° to 50° from ZZ at a distance of 1.5 to 2 nm. Ships take station in order of sequence numbers.
• FORM 15 STATION 1 DESIG ABC STATION 2 DESIG DEF Form circular formation 15 designated in the tasking message. Ship ABC is assigned station 1 and ship DEF is assigned station 2.

To change the formation's course without changing each ship's true bearing from the Guide.

When used: Any course alteration where the formation may change shape, and the only method available to a line of bearing or a circular formation.

Maximum Single Corpen

None

Automatic Guide Change

All ships alter course together and maintain true bearing and distance to Guide.

How the OTC Orders It

• TURN (000 to 359) Alter course together to the true course indicated.

To alter the formation's course while preserving its shape relative to the new course.

When used: Course changes by line formations where the shape must be retained.

Maximum Single Corpen

Column 180° · Line abreast 90° · Line of Bearing — Corpen not used · Column Open Order 180° · Diamond 30° · Circular — Corpen not used

Automatic Guide Change

If a breakdown, man overboard, or any other emergency prevents the Guide of any formation from maintaining ordered course and speed, the ship in the next higher numbered station shall become Guide until a new Guide is ordered.

How the OTC Orders It

• CORPEN (000 to 359) Alter course in succession to the true course indicated.