By Marina Malenic
A major review of U.S. defense strategy and weapon systems conducted every four years will this year recommend institutionalizing lessons learned in recent counterinsurgency warfare by purchasing more rotary wing and unmanned aircraft, according to a draft of the study.
The Quadrennial Defense Review has “sought to institutionalize the lessons and processes that our forces have developed in the field,” the authors write. “Accordingly, the Secretary has directed increased investments in certain capabilities that have been consistently in high demand and have proven to be key enablers of tactical and operational success.”
First on the list of essential systems is rotary-wing aircraft. According to the analysis, helicopters have been “indispensable to successful counterinsurgency and counterterrorist operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and elsewhere.” As the United States expands operations in the rugged terrain of Afghanistan, more rotary-wing lift capacity will be needed in order to adequately resupply troops at remote outposts, according to the draft study, which is dated Dec. 3.
To that end, U.S. Special Operations Command will field an additional company of cargo helicopters, the authors write, while general purpose forces expand pilot training to make vertical lift capability more available. The Navy, for example, will dedicate two helicopter squadrons for direct support to Naval Special Warfare units. And improved management of Army rotary-wing assets will enable the deployment of a combat aviation brigade to Afghanistan, the QDR draft states.
The authors also recommend increasing the number of manned and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).
“Long-dwell UAS, such as the Predator and Reaper systems, have proven to be invaluable for monitoring activities in contested areas, enhancing situational awareness, protecting our forces, and assisting in targeting enemy fighters,” they write.
In FY ’10, the Pentagon made a commitment to grow to a capacity of 50 sustained orbits of Predator/Reaper by FY ’13. The Air Force last year achieved this goal and surpassed it. According to the QDR, the Pentagon will continue to expand the force to at least 65 orbits by FY ’15.
Other items on the list of capabilities that must be permanently institutionalized into the U.S. military include: intelligence, reconnaissance, and targeting capacity; electronic warfare capacity; key enabling assets for Special Operations forces such as a modernized gunship inventory; and increased counterinsurgency and counterterrorism competency in the general purpose forces.