Close Air Support: Why All the Fuss

Abstract

Current defense literature is filled with articles on close air support (CAS). Congress is calling for studies. Service Chiefs are in disagreement with the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff. Defense authors publish argument and counter-argument. This study examines the close air support debate, its scope, the major issues, and why there is debate in the first place. Historical underpinnings, including service rivalry and CAS combat effectiveness; current CAS operations, including doctrine, hardware, and challenges; service perspectives; major alternatives; and the question of CAS obsolescence are examined. The study concludes with an evaluation of our present course of action and an opinion why CAS continues to draw so much energy. (sdw)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 02, 1990
Accession Number
ADA220659

Entities

People

  • Thomas W. Garrett

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • C4I
  • Counter WMD
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerial Warfare
  • Air Force
  • Air Power
  • Aircraft Equipment
  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Attack Aircraft
  • Combat Areas
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Fighter Aircraft
  • Fixed Wing Aircraft
  • Military History
  • Military Organizations
  • Tactical Air Support
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Geochemistry
  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.
  • Strategic Security Studies