Air Maneuver: A Competitive Strategy Now for the Operational Level Fight.
Abstract
Every year the Soviet Union modernizes a conventional force the size of the active heavy U.S. ground forces. The USSR and the Warsaw Pact outnumber NATO in conventional forces better than three to one. In 1987, Secretary of Defense Weinberger initiated studies in Competitive Strategies - strategies designed to leverage enduring U.S. strengths against inherent Soviet weaknesses - to enhance deterrence and security of U.S. and NATO conventional forces. To date, the strategies have focused on emerging technologists, most of which are five to ten years from being fielded. It is important for the U.S. to maintain its technological edge, but we must not overlook current technologies, organizations, and capabilities. The concept of AIR MANEUVER is just such a capability. SInce the early sixties, the U.S. has led the world in helicopter and Airmobile employment, mostly to enhance ground paced maneuver. A General von Senger writes, the world stands on the threshold of the third tier of mobility - that of the combat air vehicle oriented towards setting high tempo maneuver in the air. The ability to develop high tempo maneuver to operational depths exists in most Army Corps' today, but has yet to be exploited. This paper aims to explore the concept of air maneuver as a competitive strategy aimed at enhancing the operational level fight with high potential for payoff now. Keywords: Airland battle doctrine. (kr)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 30, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA195627
Entities
People
- Charles M. Burke
- Michael J. Pulliam
Organizations
- United States Army War College