This paper attempts to determine the requirements of communication systems in general, and naval communications specifically. Unlike commercial communications, naval system design must solve the problem of extreme speed without the loss of reliability, and extreme flexibility without over complicating operation or increasing physical bulk. A comparison is drawn between present naval communication practice and system which are practically attainable if the potentialities of the communication art are fully exploited. Although the field selected for this paper is so broad that is is discussed, for the most part, in general terms, some phases are treated in detail affects overall systems design. The fundamental truths and relationships are emphasized, for they then serve as a point of departure, for they then serve as a point of departure into the more complicated relations of system details. Finally, the design requirements of a practical inter-ship naval communication system are discussed and a solution offered as a example of system design. The problem of communication security, is purposely not discussed.