Rethinking the Amphibious Paradigm: Projection of Combat Power For the 21st Century

Abstract

Presents an argument that current amphibious forcible entry doctrine has been rendered obsolete by the technology and complexities of the 21st century combat environment based on physical limitations, vulnerability, affordability, and design potential of surface connectors. Instead, recommends an air-centric approach in which assault forces use vertical connectors across vast distances to seize inland objectives which are then resupplied by strategic airlift using precision parachute aerial delivery systems ranging from 2000-60,000 pounds which will resupply and reinforce a growing ground force with ammunition, fuel, food, water, wheeled vehicles, and mobile weapon platforms. This concept circumvents the complexities and risks of a hybrid and A2AD environment and permits expeditionary forces to strike deep. It uses existing technology and platforms and represents a disruptive rather than sustaining doctrinal innovation.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 06, 2015
Accession Number
AD1178447

Entities

People

  • Stephen H. Irving

Organizations

  • Marine Corps University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Biomedical
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Amphibious Operations
  • Amphibious Ships
  • Armored Personnel Carriers
  • China
  • Combat Operations
  • Combat Vehicles
  • Department Of Defense
  • Ground Vehicles
  • Guided Weapons
  • Landing Forces
  • Light Armored Vehicles
  • Logistics
  • Marine Corps
  • Naval Operations
  • Naval Warfare
  • Navy
  • Precision-Guided Munitions
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Aerospace logistics and air mobility.
  • East Asian Political and Security Studies within the Soviet Union
  • Military Science