THE BEGINNING OF THE END: ARE U.S. NAVY HELICOPTERS STILL RELEVANT?
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Authors
Pretzinger, Philip D.
Subjects
military innovation studies
military history
aviation history
helicopter
helicopters
rotary wing aviation
navy
naval aviation
carrier aviation
aircraft carriers
emerging technology
innovation
adaptation
civil-military relations
inter-service rivalry
intra-service rivalry
organizational culture
strategic culture
distributed maritime operations
great power competition
defense capabilities
military history
aviation history
helicopter
helicopters
rotary wing aviation
navy
naval aviation
carrier aviation
aircraft carriers
emerging technology
innovation
adaptation
civil-military relations
inter-service rivalry
intra-service rivalry
organizational culture
strategic culture
distributed maritime operations
great power competition
defense capabilities
Advisors
Russell, James A.
Date of Issue
2021-09
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
U.S. Navy helicopters emerged as an innovative concept during World War II and have been a major component of naval aviation for over 70 years. Despite consistent support and a surge of resources at the turn of the 21st century, new concepts—such as the "Carrier Air Wing of the Future," which reduces the helicopter footprint within the carrier air wing by over 30 percent—appear to signal that the Navy is moving on from helicopters. What explains the U.S. Navy's apparent deemphasis of the helicopter community? This thesis addresses and seeks to explain this apparent deemphasis by analyzing the Navy helicopter community through five models of military innovation studies. Ultimately, this thesis finds that no single model provides a sufficient explanation. Instead, the Navy's treatment of helicopters is a result of the combined dynamics and interaction of all five models. Finally, this thesis provides several recommendations for future Navy policy toward helicopters.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
National Security Affairs (NSA)
Organization
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NPS Report Number
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Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.