Integration of United States Attack Helicopters Into the Combined Arms Battle in Europe; An Analysis of Attack Helicopter Anti-Armor Employment Doctrine for a NATO Defensive Environment

摘要

This monograph evaluates the employment doctrine for the Army-of-Excellence attack helicopter battalion. It examines whether the organization's doctrine is maximized for effectiveness in the NATO environment. Emphasis is placed on the attack battalion participating as a member of the combined arms team on the AirLand battlefield. Consideration is also given to the degree to which other members of the combined arms team understand and accept aviation employment doctrine. Evaluation of employment effectiveness was developed from observation of attack helicopter units at the National Training Center (NTC), and evaluation reports compiled by the staff of the NTC. The monograph's conclusion indicates a need for improved doctrine. The overall direction and philosophy for attack battalion employment is correct; however, the necessary degree of detail required for effective, standardized implementation on a potential NATO battlefield is missing. Additionally, employment considerations for the AH-64 battalion, as described in Field Circular 1-112, are not significantly different from those of the AH-1S battalion.