Army Aviation and the Megacity: Winning In a Complex Urban Environment
Abstract
To compete in the complex urban terrain megacities present, Army Aviation must both accomplish traditional missions more responsively and explore new missions uniquely suited to modern helicopters. This paper approaches support to the ground commander in a megacity with the underlying premise that rotary wing aviation can more effectively shape the operating environment if it is employed in a manner that recognizes the effect helicopters have on the enemy. Fourteen years of experience in Iraq and Afghanistan have demonstrated that the mere presence of helicopters has a profound effect on the actions of the enemy. When friendly helicopters are on station, the enemy stops maneuvering. If enemy forces dont, they can be identified and destroyed. Within the megacity, aircraft will never be able to unilaterally compel enemy action without unacceptable collateral damage. However, it is well within the ability of helicopters to restrict the enemys freedom of maneuver to a level that will give friendly ground forces a relative advantage. Army Aviation can restructure its battalion level units and tactics to maximize this effect in respect to time and create operational depth for the ground commander.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 02, 2015
- Accession Number
- AD1176018
Entities
People
- Robert I Iii Sickler
Organizations
- Marine Corps University