Joint Helicopter Command: The `Purple' Evolution of Rotary-Wing Aviation

Abstract

The role of rotary-wing forces in operational maneuver over land, over water, and in the littoral is a critical enabling capability in current and evolving U.S. doctrine. The helicopter is ubiquitous, but joint helicopter operational doctrine, operating and maintenance procedures are not. Individual service cultures cultivate helicopter operating concepts that perpetuate intraservice relevance, but do not leverage the role of rotary-wing aviation in an integrated approach to joint warfighting. This paper examines the role of the United Kingdom's Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) in transforming Britain's ability to deliver effective combat helicopter forces to the Joint Commander. It illustrates how the JHC architecture supports effects based operations through an integrated joint approach to doctrine, infrastructure, training support and supportability across the Services. Finally, based on an established requirement to continue integration of U.S. helicopter forces, the paper suggests a U.S. Joint Rotary-Wing Command concept, prototyped on the JHC.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 23, 2006
Accession Number
ADA463638

Entities

People

  • Christoper D. Hayes

Organizations

  • Naval War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Biomedical
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Doctrine
  • Employment
  • Helicopters
  • Maintenance
  • Medical Evacuation
  • Military Operations
  • National Security
  • Naval Operations
  • Navy
  • Organizational Structure
  • Rotary Wing Aircraft
  • Students
  • United States Central Command
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Approximation Theory.
  • Strategic Security Studies