To Find, and Not to Yield How Advances in Information and Firepower Can Transform Theater Warfare

by Ochmanek, D. A.; Harshberger, E. R.; Thaler, D. E.; Kent, G. A.

• ISBN13: 9780833026125
• ISBN10: 0833026127
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1998-12-29
• Publisher: RAND Corporation

Summary

The authors assess quantitatively the capabilities of U.S. forces in the context of a generic scenario depicting a large-scale war in the next decade. From this, the identify priorities for modernizing U.S. forces.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. v
Figures	p. xi
Tables	p. xv
Summary	p. xvii
Acknowledgments	p. xxi
Introduction: Defense Planning for the 21st Century	p. 1
Approach and Overview	p. 3
Scenarios for Evaluating Future Needs and Capabilities	p. 5
A Generic Scenario for Force Planning	p. 9
Competing Approaches to Theater Warfare	p. 13
Assessing Future U.S. Capabilities for the Halt Phase	p. 23
Employing the Force: First Enable, Then Destroy	p. 26
Assessing a Single Operational Objective Rather Than a Theater Campaign	p. 29
A Simpler Approach to Assessing Modern Firepower	p. 31
Weapons and Sortie Effectiveness	p. 36
Results of the Base Case	p. 42
Variations of the Base Case: Multiple Axes of Advance and Increased Spacing	p. 48
Confronting the Threat of Weapons of Mass Destruction	p. 52
Exploring the Contributions of Carrier Aviation	p. 55
Preliminary Judgments	p. 59
A More Likely Opponent	p. 60
Long-Range Firepower Can Rapidly Attrit Mechanized Forces	p. 64
Priorities for Modernization: Ensuring a Robust Capability to Halt Invasions	p. 67
Defeating Enemy Aircraft	p. 71
Suppressing Surface-to-Air Defenses	p. 72
Gaining and Exploiting Information	p. 73
Rapidly Destroying Armor	p. 74
Broader Implications for the Defense Program	p. 77
Paying for Needed Enhancements	p. 78
Concluding Observations	p. 85
Assessment Approach and Methods	p. 87
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