Use of Helicopters to Develop Operational Concepts for V/STOL (Vertical and Short Takeoff and Landing) Aircraft in Naval Missions

摘要

Vertical and short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) aircraft promise new operational capabilities for the Navy. In the past, new vehicle types have been slow in gaining acceptance because of the difficulty in visualizing how these new vehicles should be employed. Once built, experience gained with the vehicle evolved into an operational concept exploiting its best qualities. Now, competition for fiscal resources has reached a level from which it may be difficult to justify the development of any new vehicle without having a well-defined operational concept in hand. This report discusses the use of existing large helicopters to develop operational concepts for V/STOL in naval applications. (Author)