Which of the following is not a principal mechanism by which the Navy executes strike warfare?

The choice regarding amphibious assault stands out as the correct answer because strike warfare primarily involves engaging enemy targets from a distance using airborne or seaborne platforms. Air strikes, carrier operations, and submarine launches are all direct methods formulated to deliver munitions effectively against a target, typically in support of maritime superiority or to achieve specific strategic objectives.

Amphibious assault, while essential to naval operations, is more focused on the deployment of ground forces onto land and establishing a foothold in enemy territory. It entails the coordinated landing of troops and equipment, often supported by naval gunfire or air support, but it does not fit into the traditional definition of strike warfare, which centers on direct engagement through strikes rather than land invasions or occupations. Therefore, amphibious assault does not align with the principal mechanisms of executing strike warfare as defined by naval operational strategy.