Division Aviation Brigade: Operational or Tactical?

Description

This monograph analyzes the capability of the division aviation brigade to be used as an operational instrument–at the army group level. A current unclassified scenario from the Command and General Staff College is examined to determine the maximum distance that an aviation brigade must be able to move to be considered operational. An historical study is examined to determine the minimum amount of time in which that maximum distance must be traversed. And current references are examined to determine the amount of firepower required upon arrival in the battle area. Through the use of current accepted values for probability of kill and helicopter versus tank exchange ratios, the available firepower of massed Army aviation forces are examined. One scenario shows the results of twelve attack helicopter battalions delaying a three division breakthrough in the army group area. The monograph concludes that the division aviation brigade is not an operational instrument under current conditions, but could become an operational instrument with improvements in technology and command and control.