Grounding the Dragon: Achieving Local Air Superiority to Stop PRC Invasion in 2010 Short Duration Conflict Scenario

Abstract

Reunification with Taiwan has long been a publicly stated goal of the Peoples Republic of China s (PRC) party leaders. Political tensions could escalate between the PRC and Taiwan after the 2008 Olympics as PRC military power projection capability peaks. In one possible scenario, the PRC could attempt a short duration conflict with Taiwan before significant United States (US) forces could arrive. With US national objectives to defend Taiwan and de-escalate the situation, but with limited forces in theater, the US operational commander would need to swiftly and decisively counter PRC military action. In this short duration conflict, the US operational commander must focus all efforts to destroy the PRC operational center of gravity (COG), the amphibious invasion force. First, the US should gain local air superiority over northwest Taiwan using a combination of air and submarine power. Once air superiority is achieved, US air power should destroy or deter the poorly defended surface invasion force now vulnerable to air attack.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 13, 2006
Accession Number
ADA463279

Entities

People

  • John W. Gloystein

Organizations

  • Naval War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Defense
  • Air Force
  • Air Power
  • Aircraft Carriers
  • Amphibious Operations
  • Amphibious Ships
  • Attack Submarines
  • Center Of Gravity
  • Military Organizations
  • Naval Operations
  • Naval Warfare
  • Navy
  • Ships
  • Submarine Warfare
  • Submarines
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Asian Economic Studies
  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies
  • Strategic Security Studies