Close Air Support - Can It Survive the 80s?

This is a study of Close Air Support as it might be utilized on the modern battlefield in Central Europe. The study investigates the Close Air Support mission by examining how it applies to the US Army Active Defense doctrine, the Warsaw Pact ground and air threat, the 1973 Arab-Israeli War, and examines the current doctrine of Close Air Support in Army, Air Force, and NATO manuals. The study reveals that the US Army places too much reliance on Close Air Support to supplement shortfalls in organic firepower, and that the massive use of Close Air Support required by the Active Defense is a poor use of air power. The study recommends that Close Air Support, Battlefield Interdiction, and Interdiction be redefined in Air Force, Army and NATO manuals. The study further recommends that Close Air Support be limited to direct fire range of Army weapons and that the major air effort should be used against the second echelon forces before they reach the main battle area. Finally, the study graphically portrays the air-land battle with the Joint Air Attack Team used for Close Air Support and the target box concept used for high-performance aircraft against the second echelon.