Enhancing Fires and Maneuver Capability Through Greater Air-ground Joint Interdependence

by Jacobs, Jody; Johnson, David E.; Comanor, Katherine; Jamison, Lewis; Joe, Leland

• ISBN13: 9780833046055
• ISBN10: 0833046055
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-05-16
• Publisher: RAND Corporation

Summary

Although airpower capabilities have improved dramatically in the past decade, the joint warfighting potential offered by these capabilities is not being fully realized. Service transformation efforts and lessons learned during combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq highlight doctrinal and technical issues with air and ground integration. The authors propose several alternative options for improving the effectiveness of air and ground fires and maneuver. To compare the potential effectiveness of the options, they develop a methodology that models the essential counterland air-ground interactions under discussion, based on a scenario that focuses on the disruption of enemy ground force maneuver. They suggest a new joint warfighting concept that has design elements specifically put in place to enhance the prioritization and synchronization of joint fires and maneuver. This concept offers important benefits and significant added flexibility for employing joint forces to achieve the commander's objectives across the entire theater. Book jacket.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. iii
Figures	p. vii
Tables	p. ix
Summary	p. xi
Acknowledgments	p. xvii
Abbreviations	p. xxi
Introduction	p. 1
A Shift in the Roles of Airpower and Ground Power Is Warranted	p. 3
Recent Conflicts Show Increased Airpower Effectiveness	p. 3
Lessons from Recent Conflicts	p. 6
Challenges to Realizing Joint Air-Ground Integration	p. 8
Joint Doctrine	p. 8
Army Culture And Doctrine	p. 11
Air Force Culture And Doctrine	p. 14
More Effective Air-Ground Integration Will Require Joint Direction	p. 17
Monograph Structure	p. 17
Options for Enhancing Joint Fires and Maneuver	p. 19
Option 1: Incremental Improvements That Evolve from the Present Concept of Operations	p. 21
Option 2: Focus on Effects-Prioritize and Synchronize Joint Fires and Maneuver	p. 24
Potential Effectiveness of Air-Ground Options	p. 41
Methodology	p. 41
Effectiveness Estimates	p. 47
Effectiveness Sensitivity Analyses	p. 52
Summary of Effectiveness Analysis Findings	p. 57
Command and Control Implications	p. 61
Option 1 Command and Control Adjustments	p. 61
Option 2 Will Require Significant Command and Control Changes	p. 62
Information and Information System Implications	p. 67
Information Exchange Requirements for Each Option	p. 67
Assessment of Information Systems' Ability to Support the Air-Ground Options	p. 69
Summary and Recommendations	p. 73
Observations and Recommendations	p. 75
Observations	p. 75
Recommendations	p. 76
Appendixes
A. Option 2 Vignettes	p. 77
B. Information Systems	p. 87
References	p. 95
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