A New Ace for the MEU: Rotary Wing Focus for Optimal Synergy and Efficiency

Abstract

The current construct of an ACE centered on a Medium Lift Tilt Rotor Squadron does not make efficient use of the advanced MV-22 technology, and would be more lethal with an increased ratio of rotary wing to tiltrotor transport aircraft. The growing size and weight of Ground Combat Element Equipment and vehicles, gaps in Type/Model/Series (T/M/S) capability, changes in the future amphibious operational environment justify a shift towards a more rotary wing and fewer tilt rotor aircraft. The preceding thirty years shows a technological evolution that results in the lethal force that the Marine Corps is today. The improvements in lethality and survivability is an abject positive improvement, but it comes with negatives for which have yet to be completely compensated, specifically the vast advantage in range and airspeed the MV-22 has over the rest of the rotary wing component of the ACE. Improvements in technology are improving the range, speed and endurance of traditional rotary wing assets, but the gap remains. Rather than constraining the majority of a MEU's assault support assets and treating the MV-22 as a fast helicopter, a shift in airframe asset allocation would improve performance across the board. With more CH-53s and fewer MV-22s embarked aboard U.S. Naval shipping, the ability to gain tempo and mass while maintaining dispersion is improved, while also maximizing the use of the MV-22's strengths. There is no doctrinal or recommended exact number of each airframe, just the recommendation to exercise a scalable and tailorable ACE. Maintaining at least a minimum number of each airframe will allow to reinforce some capacities while still retaining all capabilities, albeit at a reduced rate. The potential benefits of this shift are maximized when embarked aboard America Class shipping, but there are advantages to employing this construct while aboard Wasp Class amphibious ships as well.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 08, 2020
Accession Number
AD1177782

Entities

People

  • William J. Majeski

Organizations

  • Marine Corps University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Engineered Resilient Systems
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerial Warfare
  • Air Power
  • Aircraft Equipment
  • Airframes
  • Amphibious Operations
  • Amphibious Ships
  • Attack Aircraft
  • Attack Helicopters
  • Employment
  • Howitzers
  • Humanitarian Assistance
  • Landing Craft
  • Military Science
  • Multiple Launch Rocket System
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Tilt Rotor Aircraft
  • Transport Aircraft
  • United States
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Economics
  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.