The Future of All-Weather, Rapid Reaction Precision Targeting

The Air War Over Serbia (AWOS) featured the first concerted use of a new class of precision aerial weapons, which use Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) signals for guidance. These weapons allow all-weather employment and offer the technical capability to execute rapid reaction attacks against emerging targets. This raises the question of whether or not all-weather, rapid reaction attacks will be a viable option for future air commanders. Pertinent background information on GPS-guided weapons covers their technical strengths and weaknesses. The development of rapid reaction attack capabilities in Operation Desert Storm and AWOS is detailed, emphasizing the lessons from flexible targeting operations conducted in AWOS. The three functional components of a rapid targeting capability using GPS-guided weapons are analyzed, with critical tasks identified and discussed. Postulated operations should center on a dedicated rapid targeting cell, with the ability and authority to approve attacks, re-task sensor and attack assets, and generate precise target coordinates. Accountability for combat effects will shift from the attacking aircrew to the cell planners. Use of GPS-guided weapons eliminates the need to disseminate target imagery to attacking aircrew, and reduces workload. This capability is a viable option for future commanders, if we choose to pursue it.