Bridging the Gap for the Operational Commander: Hunting Relocateable BallisticMissiles with Advanced Attack Helicopters

摘要

The unplanned significance of Iraq's relocateable ballistic missiles (the A1 -Abbas and AI-Hussain) disrupted the campaign tempo of Desert Storm. Consuming 40 percent of air sorties and many of the special operating forces, there is a definite need examine other viable means to counter this threat. This thesis examines the feasibility of the U.S. Army's advanced attack helicopter to find and destroy relocateable ballistic missiles. This thesis answers the question: 'Can an advanced attack helicopter unit find and destroy relocateable ballistic missiles' affirmatively. Further, It refines this question into a hypothesis: 'An echelon-above-corps (EAC) aviation brigade, equipped with advanced attack helicopters, can find and destroy relocatable ballistic missiles.' and determines that it is possible; however, the EAC can not do this in isolation. Conclusions and recommendations focus on doctrine, organization, and materiel.