Crossbow and Gulf War Counter-Scud Efforts: Lessons from History

Abstract

As a result of Gulf War efforts countering Saddam Hussein's short- range ballistic missiles (SRBM), theater missile defense (TMD) has emerged as a leading doctrinal issue. Our inability to halt Scud attacks spurred a virtual cottage industry. Pundits and prognosticators of all shapes and sizes are offering insights into how we should best counter this "new" threat. The two distinctive TMD lessons that emerged from the Gulf War were (1) that missiles will play a significant role in future wars, and (2) that locating, targeting, and destroying mobile missile transporter- erector-launchers (TEL) is both time and resource intensive. Yet before the United States Air Force (USAF) develops new TMD doctrine, tactics, techniques, and procedures, it would serve us well to first reflect on the past.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 2003
Accession Number
ADA468155

Entities

People

  • Mark E. Kipphut

Organizations

  • Air University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerial Warfare
  • Air Force
  • Air Power
  • Aircrafts
  • Ballistic Missiles
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Fixed Wing Aircraft
  • Guided Bombs
  • Joint Military Activities
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Science
  • Remotely Piloted Vehicles
  • Second World War
  • Short Range Ballistic Missiles
  • United States Central Command
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Educational Psychology
  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies
  • Missile Defense Systems.