This document proposes a new way for NATO and U.S. forces to counter the growing Soviet conventional advantage in Europe. The proposal is an Inflight Rearming Aircraft capable fo rearming combat aircraft similar to the way they're refueled in flight. In the past, NATO's relied on technological superiority to offset Soviet numerical advantages but that gap is narrowing fast. Therefore, NATO must continue to investigate new ways to maintain any technical edge it can. Central to any Soviet attack on the West will be the role played by Operational Maneuver Groups (OMG) which were characterized by speed and depth of penetration. These OMG's are characteristic of the blitzkrieg approach the Soviets will launch against NATO. Additionally, they symbolize just what NATO cannot afford to lose; NATO can't trade space for time as the Soviets did in WWII. Therefore, a system such as a rearming aircraft can keep aircraft at the front longer to maintain an offensive or give continuous support to a defensive position. Today's Airland battle allows for emerging technologies to fit into any future plans. Inflight rearming will allow aircraft to be refitted close to the front like Army Combat vehicles are now. Another development of a rearming aircraft might be a hybrid design combining both refueling and rearming capabilities in a single aircraft. Such a plane, whether hybrid or not, would contribute significantly as a force multiplier to any conventional force.
Inflight Rearming
1988
37 pages
Report
No indication
English
Aeronautics , Military Operations, Strategy, & Tactics , Military planning , Aircraft ammunition , Air logistics support , Aircraft , Arming devices , Army equipment , Attack , Combat forces , Combat vehicles , Defense systems , Depth , Edges , Europe , Inflight , Maneuvers , Military aircraft , Nato , Penetration , Refueling , Ussr , Fighter aircraft , Theses , Logistics planning , Combat effectiveness , Combat support , Combat readiness , Inflight rearming , Arming , Arming aircraft , Rearming aircraft , OMG(Operational Maneuver Groups) , Rearming
NTRS | 1966
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