Joint Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses: Sowing the SEADs of Change
Abstract
Air power has become increasingly important to America's defense and force application capability. Protection of our airborne platforms should therefore be one of the most important considerations when planning and conducting military operations. For this reason, military and civilian leaders must focus on improving our joint suppression of enemy air defenses (J-SEAD) capabilities. Yet over the past decade SEAD has been somewhat taken for granted and under emphasized. This paper will examine several factors that affected SEAD application during the 1990s and will focus on the importance of in-depth studies, true joint interoperability, and ensuring Commanders-in-Chief and Joint Task Force Commanders realize the importance of J-SEAD to our nation's warfighting capability. With the rising cost of technology, the Department of Defense will be challenged in the coming years to maintain America's place of military primacy. Instead of simply buying the latest equipment to stay one jump ahead of the adversary, the military services will most likely have to find innovative and inexpensive ways to increase their capabilities. By scrutinizing all aspects of J-SEAD with an eye for improvement, by emphasizing joint operations in every aspect of peacetime and war, and by properly employing our complement of J-SEAD capabilities, America will continue to set the world standard for air power supremacy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 15, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA395075
Entities
People
- Carey A. Stegall
Organizations
- Naval War College