Relationships between Mobility, Sustainability, and Firepower
Abstract
Force structure planning for the future will include assessment of unit deployability. This study addresses the issue of deploying heavy units versus deploying light units. It shows that when additional criteria of sustainability and firepower are considered, the time differences to deploy a sustainable force and the capabilities of the possible forces argue persuasively for heavier units. The study shows that the comparisons that have to be made center on the issue of mode availability. Light divisions can be deployed more quickly by air than can heavy divisions. But only under limited circumstances do divisions deploy alone; they always require varying degrees of support, and other service requirements usually will claim some of the available airlift. The study illustrates that when the amount of cargo to be moved by the available airlift takes longer than the time required to open a sea line of communication, the primary airlift advantage disappears. If sealift must be used to complete a deployment, then heavy units are the preferred choice because of their greater firepower and survivability. This analysis supports the retention of heavy divisions in the force structure despite their 'apparent' deployability disadvantage.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA233052
Entities
People
- Frederick M. Mcnamee
- Michael D. Mcmanus
Organizations
- LMI