A-6's advanced age necessitates both upgrades and eventual - AIRBORNE TANKING. Geogra- replacement. The performance of phy dictated extensive land-based the F-I 17 demonstrated the value tanking support for both USAF of stealth and validated the re- and naval air strikes. Tanker quirement for a follow-on, long coordination went extremely well. range, all weather, stealthy strike But tankers were stretched thin, aircraft (AX) as a replacement for and their apportionment necessar- the A-6. In addition, the excellent ily limited the Navy's long-range performance of the F/A-18 con- strike contribution. firmed the validity of the multi- mission strike/fighter concept. * SURFACE WARFARE. DESERT STORM demonstrated the enduring TOMAHAWK CRUISE MIS- value of long range naval gunfire SILE. Tomahawk was a tremen- support. Unmanned aerial vehicles dous success, and its first use in (UAVs) were effective in target selec- combat fully confirmed the results tion, spotting naval gunfire and of previous extensive operational damage assessment. The firepower of testing. surface action groups was augmented with attack helicopters, effectively DEFENS SUPPRESSION. The enhancing offensive I reconnaissance outstanding performance of the capability. The offensive firepower of EA-6B and other Navy defense strike aircraft (A-6s and F/A-18s) and suppression aircraft and weapon surface combatants destroyed the systems placed these platforms in Iraqi navy. high demand. AMPHIBIOUS WARFARE. Am- SMART WEAPONS. "Smart" or phibious operations focused enemy precision weapons clearly demon- attention on the threat from seaward strated their capabilities against and tied down at least seven Iraqi point targets. The requirement divisions, even. after the coalition for highly accurate penetrating ground campaign was well under- weapons for use against heavily way. The responsiveness and flexibil- bunkered or hardened structures ity of amphibious forces was high- was reaffirmed. lighted by successful raids, rehearsals and feints. TACTICAL RECONNAIS- SANCE. The importance of real- * MINE WARFARE. DESERT STORM time and near-real-time tactical again illustrated the challenge of mine reconnaissance in support of countermeasures (MCM) and how strike planning, naval gunfire quickly mines can become a concern. support (NGFS), and battle dam- Because of the difficulty of locating age assessment (BDA) was clearly and neutralizing mines, we cannot demonstrated. always afford to give the minelayer - ix -
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