Leveraging America's Aircraft Carrier Capabilities Exploring New Combat and Noncombat Roles and Missions for the U.S. Carrier Fleet

by Gordon, John; Wilson, Peter A.; Birkler, John; Boraz, Steven; Lee, Gordon T.

• ISBN13: 9780833039224
• ISBN10: 0833039229
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-06-15
• Publisher: RAND Corporation

Summary

Explores new and nontraditional ways that the United States might be able to employ aircraft carriers in pursuit of traditional and emerging military and homeland defense missions. Summarizes the insights of two Concept Options Groups (COGs)-small groups of experienced military and civilian experts, defense analysts, and potential users who work together to identify promising ways to employ military might in nontraditional ways.

Table of Contents

Preface	iii
Figures	ix
Table	xi
Summary	xiii
Acknowledgments	xxiii
CHAPTER ONE Introduction	1	(8)
New or Nontraditional Roles for Aircraft Carriers?	2	(2)
The Use of Concept Options Groups	4	(1)
COGs: Reviewing Aircraft Carrier Roles Past and Future	5	(2)
Combat Scenarios	6	(1)
Noncombat Scenarios	6	(1)
Study Outline	7	(2)
CHAPTER TWO Aircraft Carrier Capabilities	9	(12)
Carrier Air Operations	11	(4)
Command, Control, and Communications, and Intelligence	15	(2)
Command, Control, and Communications	15	(1)
Intelligence	16	(1)
Other Aircraft Carrier Capabilities: Toward the Nontraditional	17	(4)
CHAPTER THREE Historical Nontraditional Uses of Aircraft Carriers	21	(16)
Nontraditional Combat Employment of Aircraft Carriers	21	(6)
The Doolittle Raid—April 1942	21	(1)
Saving Malta—April/May 1942	22	(1)
Operation Torch—November 1942	23	(1)
Transporting Army and Marine Corps Aircraft-1942/1945	24	(1)
Army Spotter Planes Aboard Ship—October 1944	25	(1)
Communications, Electronic Intelligence, and Command Platform—Vietnam, 1960's	26	(1)
Base for Army Air Assault Forces-1994	26	(1)
Platform for Special Operations Forces	27	(1)
Nontraditional Uses of Aircraft Carriers for Noncombat Operations	27	(7)
Platform for U-2 Spy Planes-1960's	28	(1)
Powering a City—Tacoma, Washington, 1930	28	(1)
Troop Transport at the End of World War II	29	(1)
Spacecraft-Recovery Vessels-1960's and 1970's	30	(1)
Disaster-Relief Operations	31	(3)
Lessons from Past Nontraditional Uses of Carriers	34	(3)
CHAPTER FOUR Uses of Aircraft Carriers in Future Combat Operations	37	(14)
Overview of Combat Vignettes	38	(5)
China-Taiwan Crisis	38	(1)
Pakistani Coup Attempt	38	(1)
Korean Crisis	39	(1)
The Straits of Hormuz	40	(1)
Nigerian Noncombatant Evacuation	41	(1)
Colombian Insurgency	42	(1)
Support for Myanmar	42	(1)
Major Insights: Combat Vignettes	43	(5)
Reconfigure Carrier Air Wings	43	(2)
Increase Modularity	45	(1)
Enhance Reconnaissance and Surveillance Capability	46	(2)
Increase the Range and Endurance for Covering Large Operational Areas	48	(1)
Prepare for Operations in a Nuclear Environment	48	(3)
CHAPTER FIVE Uses of Aircraft Carriers in Future Noncombat Operations	51	(8)
Noncombat Vignettes	51	(3)
Nuclear Detonation in Long Beach Harbor	51	(1)
Atlantic Tsunami	52	(1)
Massive Volcanic Eruption on the Island of Hawaii	53	(1)
Earthquake Strikes San Francisco Bay Area	53	(1)
Cuban Refugee Crisis	54	(1)
Major Insights	54	(5)
Alter the Aircraft Mix Aboard Ship	54	(1)
Provide a Command Center for Key Government Personnel or Agencies	55	(1)
Provide Medical Facilities for Casualties Brought Back to the Ship	55	(1)
Improve Availability of Nonready Carriers	56	(1)
Hold Carriers Back from Humanitarian Noncombat Missions When a Major Military Crisis Looms	57	(2)
CHAPTER SIX Conclusions	59	(6)
APPENDIX Future Combat and Noncombat Vignettes	65	(28)
Bibliography	93