Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System: Can Procedures Be Developed toSupport the Requirements of the Land and Air Component Commanders

摘要

This thesis examines the warfighting capabilities of the Joint SurveillanceTarget Attack Radar System (Joint STARS). Joint STARS effectiveness in DESERT STORM is examined as a case study. Additionally, an analysis of Joint STARS against the Department of Defense's Seven Threat Scenarios highlight the future potential of the system. This thesis contends that Joint STARS did not simultaneously support the requirements of the Land and Air Component Commanders, during DESERT STORM. Although a contributor to success in the war, Joint STARS supported the Army and the Air Force at different times and with different radar products. The primary, but not exclusive, reason for this limitation was the technological immaturity of a weapon system still in Full Scale Development. The strengths and weakness of Joint STARS are examined throughout this thesis. This study concludes that Joint STARS procedures can be developed to support the requirements of the Land and Air Component Commanders. Recommendations for the increased effectiveness of Joint STARS support to operational warfare is provided in the final chapter. Joint STARS, Ground Station Module (GSM), Joint Operations, Operational Cycle, Seven Threat Scenarios.