Air Scatterable Land Mines as an Air Force Munition
Abstract
This discussion has touched upon some aspects of the following hypotheses: The extensive array of mine countermeasure gear in Warsaw Pact ground forces formations suggests considerable respect for the potential of mines to impede armored vehicle mobility. In the absence of some delaying influence, Pact combat power can build up at a faster rate than a defender can cope with or maneuver to counter. Disruption may be viewed as a combination of vehicle destruction, formation delay and diversion, and interruption of orderly command and control. A number of related interactions that are subtle and not well understood currently cannot be defined or measured. A number of opportunities appear to exist for useful employment of air scatterable land mines by tactical aircraft. But there are some problems, as well, several of which may be reduced through joint service understanding, testing, and cooperation. An initial step in this direction might be an appreciation of countermobility as an attack objective, using disruption as the effect to be sought rather than destruction of discrete target elements.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADA086583
Entities
People
- John K. Walker Jr.
Organizations
- RAND Corporation