Modern Airships: A Possible Solution for Rapid Force Projection of Army Forces
Abstract
The deployment process involves four phases: pre-deployment activities; movement to and activities at port of embarkation; movement to port of debarkation; and Joint Reception, Staging, Onward Movement, and Integration. This process is labor intensive and time consuming, especially for heavy forces. This process is very reliant on Aerial and Sea Ports of Debarkation (APOD/SPOD). This reliance makes JRSOI sites in a theater predictable and thus a target for the enemy. Current OSD belief is that a lighter and more lethal fighting force could complete the deployment process faster than current heavy forces. Operation Iraqi Freedom, however, demonstrated heavy forces are still needed to defeat the enemy. Airships represent a new way of quickly deploying Army forces into a theater of operation. Modern airships by design are capable of short-take off and landings (STOL), and vertical take-off and landings (VTOL). This VTOL capability enables the airship to land practically anywhere, independent of most infrastructure support. This ability would allow deploying heavy forces to be picked up at their home-station and transported directly to a location directed by the Combatant Commander, bypassing the labor intensive and time consuming portions of the deployment process. The challenge facing DoD is determining if this type of transport is feasible and acceptable for military use. DoD has already sponsored two studies on two very different airship designs, thus demonstrating DoD is interested in the airship heavy transport concept. This monograph highlights some of the findings from those studies and looks at historically proven uses of airships and some contemporary uses as well. Contemporary transports, the deployment process, and the associated challenges for deployments.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 22, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA416208
Entities
People
- Charles E. Newbegin
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College