AIR MECH XXI: NEW REVOLUTION IN MANEUVER WARFARE
A thesis presented to the Faculty of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree
MASTER OF MILITARY ART AND SCIENCE
CHARLES A. JARNOT, MAJ, USA
B.S., Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, 1981
M.S., Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
Daytona Beach, Florida, 1993
1996
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
MASTER OF MILITARY ART AND SCIENCE
THESIS APPROVAL PAGE
Name of Candidate: MAJ Charles A. Jarnot
Thesis Title: Air Mech XXI, New Revolution in Maneuver Warfare
Approved by:
MAJ Thomas F. Dreilinger/ M.A.
Scott Steve
Bruce W. Menning, Ph D
Accepted this 7th Day of June 1996 by:
Thesis Committee Chairman
Member Director, Graduate Degree
Phil J. Cook Ph.D. Programs
The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student author and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency.
(References to this study should include the foregoing statement.)
ABSTRACT
AIR MECH XXI: NEW REVOLUTION IN MANEUVER WARFARE
by MAJ Charles A. Jarnot, USA, 110 pages.
Air Mech XXI is a revolutionary concept of maneuver warfare that displaces the current heavy-mechanized doctrine as the dominate form of land combat in the next century. The concept, developed by the author, uses rotary wing aircraft to project a combined arms force that maneuvers at significantly greater speed and depth than current heavy armored formations. It solves the limitations in ground mobility, protection and firepower associated with current light force designs and maximizes the benefits of the digitalized battlefield and advances in precision weapons. The Air Mech XXI design provides a theaterwide force with air assault agility and the lethality to destroy heavy armor, while retaining a substantial mechanized combat capability. This concept sounds the end of the land battleship heavy tank doctrine and heralds the full integration of air and ground maneuver.
The proposed new warfighting doctrine is presented in an interim and objective divisional model. The interim design uses current helicopters and armored vehicles that are in production. The objective design uses purpose built aircraft and vehicles. The thesis compares the Air Mech XXI divisions to current U.S. Army organizations, to determine their relative combat value.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The author acknowledges and is eternally thankful for the direct intervention of the Lord Jesus for this study's successful completion. His strength, encouragement, and His faithfulness allowed the author to solve the many research challenges that faced this thesis. Next, the author recognizes the excellent support and research assistance rendered by Mrs. Paula June Barczewski Jarnot. The long hours spent at the library and at Bell Hall would not have been possible without her absolute support.
The author wishes to thank Brigadier General (retired) Wass de Czege for his mentorship and numerous suggestions in the development of the thesis. Along these same lines, the author is very greatful to the committee for their patience and encouragement throughout the research effort. Finally, the author acknowledges the invaluable assistance in proofing and format rendered by the dedicated MMAS staff secretaries, Mrs. Helen L. Davis and Mrs. Karin Brightwell.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
COVER i
APPROVAL PAGE ii
ABSTRACT iii
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS v
LISTS OF TABLES vii
LISTS OF ILLUSTRATIONS viii
CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION: Purpose and Scope
Research Question 3
Secondary Research Question 4
Background 5
U.S. Army Today 6
Heavy Division Drawbacks 8
Light Division Drawbacks 9
Technology Versus Application 9
Assumptions 12
Definitions of Terms 14
Limitations 16
Delimitations 16
Significance of the Study 17
CHAPTER 2. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 20
Airmechanization Theorists 20
The Russian Model 34
The German Model 38
The Pure Attack Helicopter Approach 40
The Heavy Lift Approach 41
The Light Anti-Armor Approach 44
Summary of Related Literature 46
CHAPTER 3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 50
Addressing the Primary Reasearch Question so
Secondary Research Question Analysis 51
Research Outcome 51
How Air Mech XXI Model Was Developed 55
CHAPTER 4. ANALYSIS OF THE INTERIM AND OBJECTIVE AIR MECH XXI MODELS 61
The Air Mech XXI Concept 61
Armor Redefined 63
Artillery Redefined 64
Command and Control Redefined 66
Air Mech Division 67
Air Mech Brigade 68
The Strike Brigade 69
The Support Brigade 70
Future Air Mech Aircraft 71
Future Air Mech Vehicle 73
What About Enemy Air Defenses? 75
What About Weather Limitations? 76
Air Mech XXI Summary 77
The Heavy Division 77
The Airborne Division 78
The Air Assault Division 79
Evaluation Criteria Defined 80
Decision Matrix 83
Heavy Division Versus Evaluation Criteria 84
Airborne Division Versus Evaluation Criteria 86
Air Assault Division Versus Evaluation Criteria 89
The Interim Air Mech Model Versus Evaluation Cri teria 92
Model Comparison 95
Strategic Mobility Compared 95
Tactical Mobility Compared 95
Protection Compared 96
Firepower Compared 97
Operations Other Than War Performance Compared 98
General and Limited War Performance Compared 98
Objective Air Mech Division Model Comparted 99
CHAPTER 5. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 102
Conclusion of Analysis 102
Recommendations 105
BIBLIOGRAPHY 107