Utilization of Inertially Guided Weapons in Performing Close Air Support

<p>This thesis investigates the question: Should inertially guided air-to-ground weapons be used to perform Close Air Support (CAS)? With inertially guided weapons it is possible to strike targets with precision even when crewmen in attack aircraft cannot see them. Current procedures do not permit CAS when crewmen cannot see their targets. The capability provided by inertially guided weapons would make CAS possible in situations when targets are not visible from the air. The method for this thesis was to compare field artillery and CAS as fire support systems. Research included documenting the history of fratricide resulting from artillery and CAS and reviewing the procedures for CAS and artillery. Systems currently used to determine and disseminate target coordinates were also examined as were systems that will perform these tasks in the future. The impact of situational awareness-building tools on indirect fire support was considered. Finally the availability of inertially guided weapons for use in CAS was investigated. The conclusion is that inertially guided weapons should be used to perform CAS in specific situations as long as accurate coordinates are available.</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>