Army Tactical Missile System: Revolutionary Impact on Deep Operations

摘要

This thesis provides an analysis of the revolutionary impact the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) had on developing joint doctrine for deep operations. ATACMS provides U.S. Joint Force with the ability to execute deep strike missions against enemy forces with precision and responsiveness. The Army fielded the missile system during Operation Desert Storm, where it performed brilliantly against enemy air defenses, surface-to-surface missiles, and logistics sites. The successful employment of ATACMS during the Gulf War substantiated its role on the joint battlefield and aided in the generation of new joint doctrine and tactics, techniques, and procedures to ensure its proper employment in deep operations. U.S. Joint Forces utilized the newly implemented joint doctrine to fight Operation Iraqi Freedom. Its integration in supporting Joint Forces Land component command and corps deep operations clearly demonstrated its impact on striking the enemy deep with unprecedented results. ATACMS provides the Joint Force with an all-weather means to attack targets with short notice out to ranges of 300 kilometers. (1 table, 3 figures, 54 refs.).