Overcoming Space and Time Disadvantages in Joint Theater Missile Defense
Abstract
The Gulf War was the first time that a US Joint Force Commander (JFC) confronted tactical ballistic missiles (TBM) in combat. Consequently, the US was ill prepared for the Iraqi Scud threat and achieved only minimal success against it. As the entire world watched, Saddam Hussein's employment of Scuds clearly displayed the strategic nature of TBMs. Iraq nearly destroyed the fragile coalition that the US had arrayed against it, while the US expended enormous energy and resources to little avail. Despite the US's poor results against Iraqi Scuds, current US Joint Theater Missile Defense (JTMD) doctrine still reflects the concepts employed during the Gulf War. The US is relying on technological advancements in active defense systems and command and control infrastructure to enable success in future JTMD operations. While significant improvements to US JTMD forces have been made since the Gulf War, our potential enemies have also enhanced their tactical ballistic missile forces. This paper contends that developments in both TBMs and US JTMD forces have affected the operational factors of space and time to such a degree that current US doctrine for JTMD is rendered obsolete. Without complete integration of JTMD forces across all services, future JFCs will achieve similar JTMD results to those achieved during the Gulf War. Significant change to US JTMD doctrine is required, change that will bring synchronization to JTMD operations and enable JTMD mission accomplishment and provide the JFC with considerable benefits with respect to all of the operational functions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 04, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA401837
Entities
People
- Robert Kelley
Organizations
- Naval War College