VMLO: the Strategic, Operational and Tactical imperative for a Light Observation Squadron with the USMC
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Authors
Bamford, Gregory R.
Subjects
VMLO
USMC
LAAR
LAS
COTS
SOCOM
JSOC
MARSOC
NSAV
USN
USAF
USA
USASOC
PACOM
CENTCOM
AFRICOM
EUCOM
CESSNA
QUEST
SHERPA
PILATUS
CANOPY
GOTS
COIN
IW
MAGTF
ACE
GCE
MEU
MEF
DO
ECO
Distributed Operations
South China Sea
Philippines
Singapore
USMC
LAAR
LAS
COTS
SOCOM
JSOC
MARSOC
NSAV
USN
USAF
USA
USASOC
PACOM
CENTCOM
AFRICOM
EUCOM
CESSNA
QUEST
SHERPA
PILATUS
CANOPY
GOTS
COIN
IW
MAGTF
ACE
GCE
MEU
MEF
DO
ECO
Distributed Operations
South China Sea
Philippines
Singapore
Advisors
Buettner, Raymond R.
Date of Issue
2012-06
Date
12-Jun
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
The military, and the Marines specifically, are experiencing a gap in their light mobility, persistent ISR and CAS/FAC(A) capabilities. Ever changing international and local political and economic realities are impacting the way in which the Marines will continue to act as a force projection of the national strategy. The use of commercial off-the-shelf aircraft, integrated with existing sensors and weapons systems, is a performance and cost effective augmentation to existing military aircraft and is a discussion centered on placing the right technology, not always high technology, at the right place and time to influence the next battlespace. Researchers considered the future environments these aircraft would operate in and the capabilities that would enhance current aviation capabilities and augment distributed operations. Four aircraft were considered and compared in configuration, performance, cost and commonality on the current commercial market. In addition to the discussion of aircraft, consideration was given to the benefits of the creation of a fixed wing light observation squadron within the Marines and its ability to influence operations and augment current aviation capabilities.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Systems Technology (Command, Control, and Communications)