The Evolving Threat and Operational Environment's Impact on Aircraft Vulnerability Reduction

This paper examines how the evolving threat and the Operational Environment (OE) have challenged the effectiveness of our current aircraft and aircrew vulnerability reduction methods. It provides specific examples of the how Threat weapon systems have evolved, and nominates specific representative weapon systems as the new benchmark for future vulnerability reduction efforts. Additionally this paper examines how the changing OE directly impacts the overall vulnerability equation by highlighting that legacy vulnerability reduction will prove insufficient to sustain expeditionary warfare. Recognizing the aircrew as a mission critical sub-system requires designing-in new approaches to ensure aircrew post-crash survival, recovery, and crew reuse as the final critical component of a holistic approach to vulnerability reduction. This information is intended to inform those who will design and build future vertical-flight capable air vehicles and ensure that future designs account for these changes.