Attack Helicopter Battalion: Ready for the 60's or 90's.

摘要

This study examines the capability of the currently organized attack helicopter battalion to execute one type of deep operation, the raid. The capability is compared to the Soviet Air Defense system's ability to defeat the attack battalion. The study uses a scenario that commits the attack battalion to destroy the independent tank regiment of an attacking Soviet army. The engagement area is seventy kilometers from the forward line of friendly troops (FLOT). Conclusions of the study indicate that the attack battalion has the capability to execute the raid as a part of deep operations but does not have the ability to destroy the independent tank regiment on one mission. The study further identifies serious shortfalls in the currently fielded scout helicopter's ability to execute its doctrinal mission. Many of the issues raised in this study have been discussed and debated in the Army for several years. The study indicates that the attack battalion has the potential to conduct deep operations. However, there are problems and they must be resolved if routine deep operations are to be conducted by the attack helicopter battalion.