Rapid Force Projection: Exploring New Technology Concepts for Light Airborne Forces. Documented Briefing,

Abstract : The days of U.S. military forces defending a predetermined terrain with a large, prepositioned force appear to be drawing to a close. In the future, as in the recent past, the U.S. Army will need to deploy to areas of potential or actual conflict. Furthermore, because response time is often critical in overseas operations, the United States must have land forces that can deploy quickly and decisively, both by air and sea. This study concentrates on the airliftable portion of these forces in the early-entry role. In this role, light airborne forces may encounter heavy enemy forces in terrain suitable for tank maneuvers. Such situations pose a grave challenge for U.S. light forces as they are currently configured. As part of the Rapid Force Prdjection Initiative (RFPI), we examined new "technology concepts" that potentially allow light forces to fight and survive against such heavy forces.