Aerial Resupply of Encircled Army Units During a Mid-Intensity European War.

摘要

This study addresses the mission of aerial resupply to encircled forces during a NATO versus Warsaw Pact conflict in Central Europe. Using, as a basis, European weather characteristics, the Soviet anti-air threat, and an armored brigade's resupply requirements, the C-130 and the Advanced Medium STOL Transport (AMST) are compared with each other and the overall mission requirements. The AMST's all-weather STOL capability, greater survivability in a hostile environment, and larger payloads offer significant advantages over the C-130. However, the success of the aerial resupply mission may largely depend on the ability of supporting tactical air forces to provide an effective air defense suppression and counterair campaign. (Author)