An Approach to the Runway Denial Problem

Concern over runway denial weapons has caused consideration of VTOL aircraft to replace today's sophisticated aircraft for demanding Air Force fighter/attack missions. Short runway operational (SRO) aircraft are proposed as a more timely solution to the Air Force problem. Means for obtaining the required aircraft characteristics, in the near and long term, are discussed, as well as a possible role for Air Force VTOL aircraft. A tool for airbase vulnerability analysis is described.