Global mobility
Subtitle: anywhere, anytime, any threat? countering the MANPADs challenge
By: Jacqueline D. van Ovost
Contributors: Air University (U.S.). Center for Strategy and Technology
Series: Occasional paper / Center for Strategy and Technology, Air War College -- no. 38; Occasional paper (Air University (U.S.). Center for Strategy and Technology) -- no. 38
Publisher: Center for Strategy and Technology, Air War College
Published: 2005
Place of publication: Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala
Language: eng
Number of pages: 55
Subjects: Antiaircraft missiles; Air defenses; Military Airlift; Safety measures
Other titles: Countering the MANPADs challenge; Countering the man-portable air defense system challenge
Description: Man-portable air defense systems are threatening places of the world where mobility operations occur daily and the U.S. has spent billions of dollars trying to counter their effects to little avail. The continued ability to project and apply joint U.S. military power is jeopardized without suitable defensive systems for military and civilian mobility aircraft. This paper reviews man-portable air defense system missile and countermeasure capabilities, weapon proliferation trends, and the impact on global mobility operations through 2025. Breakthroughs in laser and microwave weapon technologies are described and represent the best opportunity for transformational progress against these missile threats. Developing these technologies will ensure the U.S. has the capabilities to defeat the projected threats using a mix of ground-based and aircraft-based defensive systems to smartly defend all U.S. and coalition transport and tanker aircraft. This paper recommends changes to strategy, technology development, and doctrine to meet this force protection and projection challenge.
Notes: "December 2005."

Includes bibliographical references.
Table of contents: title: The threat to the global mobility system; title: MANPADs missile and countermeasure technologies; title: Two strategies to defeat MANPADs threats; title: Conclusions and recommendations; title: Appendix: List of nations with MANPADs.