None of the existing systems comes close to satisfying the mission need for world wide deployment and interoperability between the services. The optimal system would use the same or similar surface and aircraft based components and procedures in both the land based and sea based versions to ensure commonality in joint operations, training, logistics, etc. Acknowledging the existing and more stringent technical requirements to recover aircraft aboard moving platforms at sea, however, it is recognized that concessions may have to be considered. The timing for this system is immediate because of our reduction in forward operating locations. Our forces must be ready and mobile enough to fight in conflicts of varying intensity, location and circumstance without mission degradation due to visibility constraints.
Portable capability is a high priority of special operating forces.
There is no direct threat countered by this capability, but the precision landing capability is needed to permit the introduction and support of air forces into any theater of operations world wide. The variety of systems in use makes it difficult to realize logistics and support savings and results in higher life cycle costs as systems are upgraded. The principal threat to precision landing systems will come from intercept and geo-locating systems capable of detecting, positioning, identifying, controlling, and disrupting the landing aid. Other likely threats include disruption of open, non-secure radio communications, limited and relatively unsophisticated electronic countermeasure available to potential adversaries, and terrorist or saboteur forces destroying any ground based devices used. Further, the proliferation of advanced electronic warfare systems makes a more technologically sophisticated system essential to counter future enemy capabilities.