Blinding the Opponent, Suppression of Enemy Air Defense Capability for the Joint Commander.
Abstract
Modern air power can often be the determining factor on the battlefield. As an enabler and subset of air power, the airborne suppression of enemy air defense capability possessed by the United States must be viewed as the critical link in obtaining air superiority. The collapse of the Soviet Union has refocused our national strategy, and a revitalized concentration on regional instability and uncertainty has developed. Nonetheless, the ability of Joint Force Commanders to apply direct and indirect fires against an opponent has never been as critical. The employment of airborne and ground based assets to render an opponent impotent and susceptible to assault from the air has increased in relative proportion to the amount of effort directed against his ground forces. This paper demonstrates the continuing evolution of suppression doctrine and training and why it is necessary to maintain SFAD forces in order to meet new challenges. It then focuses on the development of strategies, hardware, doctrine and the resources available today. Finally, it addresses the differences in individual service doctrines and how these dissimilarities can be overcome and integrated to offset weaknesses in interoperability. Recommendations include, integrating air, ground and sea borne assets, optimizing training opportunities and support for the concept of a JFACC who knows how to effectively
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 14, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA312096
Entities
People
- Todd A. Zecchin
Organizations
- Naval War College