Tactical Air-to-Surface Requirements for the 1990s

PROJECTIONS OF REQUIREMENTS FOR MANNED, TACTICAL AIR-TO-SURFACE SYSTEMS in the 1990’s must consider a number of complex issues involving future scenarios; threat environment; force mix; emerging technology in weapons, avionics, and airplane design; and operational concepts. The purpose of this paper is to provide a brief overview of some of the future requirements that may change current design approaches and concepts of operation. Parametric trades and design considerations on such issues as range-payload, short takeoff and landing (STOL) requirements, autonomous versus nonautonomous systems, and air-to-air versus air-to-ground requirements are summarized. Airplane design and technology requirements having application to the resulting requirements are identified, and an example of a possible future tactical air-to-surface fighter is described.