The political changes around the world continue to reduce available overseas base support. As a result, US military forces are primarily based in the continental US, while global presence is still required. The potential conflict areas are not well defined, and may be anywhere in the world. Thus, while reduction in tensions with communist countries have brought about reductions in military forces, the demands on the mobility assets are as great or greater than ever. The Air Mobility Command (AMC) must be prepared to conduct global air mobility missions. AMC must also support peacekeeping and humanitarian missions where a hostile environment is possible. Further, the proliferation of cheap, heat-seeking missiles increases aircraft risk even in remote, poorly developed countries. After examining the mobility missions and identifying their shortcomings, advanced technologies were reviewed to determine how they could solve these problems. A number of advanced systems were postulated to meet the mobility needs. These were then evaluated against criteria which included: Contribution to mobility mission effectiveness; Affordability; Supportability, including training; Technology maturity; Applicability of commercial development and/or dual use.
New World Vistas: Air and Space Power for the 21st Century, Mobility Volume
1996
84 pages
Report
No indication
English