Lightning Over Water Sharpening America's Light Forces for Rapid Missions

by Matsumura, John; Steeb, Randall; Gordon, John; Herbert, Tom; Glenn, Russell

• ISBN13: 9780833029478
• ISBN10: 0833029479
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-04-09
• Publisher: RAND Corporation

Summary

As the world continues its post-Cold War thaw, fears of major theater-level war have given way to a reality of increased numbers of smaller regional conflicts and crises. There is a growing need for a quick deploying, rapid-reaction capability. To addre

Table of Contents

Preface	iii
Figures	vii
Tables	ix
Abbreviations	xi
Introduction	1	(4)
The Vulnerability of U.S. Rapid-Reaction Capability	1	(1)
Options for Resolving the Shortfall in Rapid-Reaction Forces	2	(1)
The First (Middle) Path: Enhancing Current Light Forces	2	(1)
The Second (Lower) Path: Making Light Forces Smaller and More Dispersed	3	(1)
The Third (Upper) Path: Introducing Maneuver to Light Forces	3	(1)
Which Path to Choose? The Need for Sound Analysis	3	(2)
Current-Generation Light Forces Do Not Fare Well Against a Powerful, Armored Opponent	5	(6)
Setting the Context for Analysis	5	(2)
Light Forces Lose, Driven Mostly by an Inefficient Indirect-Fire Battle	7	(1)
Direct-Fire Systems Are Vulnerable	8	(1)
The Results Across Scenarios Vary by Terrain Type	9	(2)
Making Enhancements to the Current-Generation Light Forces Strongly Improves Overall Force Effectiveness	11	(6)
Setting the Context for Analysis	11	(2)
Light Forces Are More Successful, Driven Mostly by the Hunter-Standoff Killer Capability	13	(2)
Defending Against an Advanced Threat Requires a Richer Mix of Sensors and Weapon Systems	15	(2)
Making Light Forces Smaller/More Dispersible Has Benefits but Makes Them More Vulnerable and Less Capable	17	(6)
Setting the Context for Analysis	17	(1)
Making Light Forces Smaller Makes Them More Deployable	18	(1)
While Greater Dispersion Makes Them Somewhat More Survivable	18	(1)
However, the Smaller Light Forces Are More Vulnerable	18	(2)
And the Smaller Light Forces Are Also More Mission-Limited	20	(3)
Introducing Maneuver Adds Significant Benefits, But the Viability of Creating and Deploying Such a Force Is Unresolved	23	(6)
Setting the Context for Analysis	23	(2)
Of the Three Concepts, the Third One---Relying on Agile Maneuver---Is Most Effective	25	(1)
However, the Viability of Creating---and Deploying---Such a Force Is Unresolved	26	(3)
How Can the Army Improve Rapid-Reaction Capability?	29
Comparing Across the Three Paths: Force Applicability and Implementability	29
Developing a Strategy to Improve Rapid-Reaction Capability	32