Replicating the AC-130's Urban Close Air Support Capabilities Around the Clock

<p>Given that half of the world's populace currently resides in urban environments the United States armed forces find themselves at odds with the challenges urban combat imposes. For example dense terrain features noncombatants interspersed with enemy forces and restrictive rules of engagement combine making urban operations problematic. To meet current and future urban combat demands the USAF must develop an airframe or system specifically designed for urban close air support situations. The central question is therefore: Given the current urban operating environments what capabilities would be required to replicate the AC-130's ability around the clock? The study analyzes the AC-130's capabilities and defines them in terms of desirable urban battlefield effects. Using the AC-130 as an urban close air support effects benchmark other USAF close air support aircraft are qualitatively compared to determine which could best replicate the AC-130's effects during times when the gunship is not available. This study contends that no single aircraft can currently replace the AC-130 however a combination of airframes can adequately encompass the AC-130's ability to provide persistence precision low collateral damage on call fires integrated command and control and exceptional intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance support to ground forces in the urban environment.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p><br>