INNOVATIVE CONCEPTS FOR SATISFYING SPECIAL OPERATION FORCES (SOF) REQUIREMENTS

SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES (SOF) PROVIDE THE UNITED STATES A HIGHLY FLEXIBLE, SPECIALIZED CAPABILITY TO PURSUE NATIONAL OBJECTIVES DURING PEACE OR WAR, EITHER INDEPENDENTLY OR IN CONJUNCTION WITH CONVENTIONAL FORCES. THERE ARE SERIOUS DEFICIENCIES PROJECTED IN THE U.S. AIR FORCE'S CAPBILITY TO PROVIDE FUTURE SOF SUPPORT IN THE MISSION AREAS OF DIRECT ACTION, STRATEGIC RECONNAISSANCE, UNCONVENTIONAL WARFARE, COUNTERTERRORISM AND OTHER MISSION AREAS IN THE 2005 TIME FRAME. THERE IS AN URGENT NEED TO FOCUS AND RESOLVE CURRENT SOF REQUIREMENTS AND TO DEVELOP/ASSESS ALTERNATIVE SYSTEM DESIGNS TO ELIMINATE THOSE DEFICIENCIES. THE TECHNICAL OBJECTIVES OF THIS PROPOSED PROGRAM ARE: (A) TO FOCUS A SET OF SPECIAL OPERATIONS AIRCRAFT (CV -X) "STRAWMAN" REQUIREMENTS BY PERFORMING CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT TRADEOFFS; (B) TO ESTABLISH A STRUCTURED DIALOG AMONG AIR FORCE DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES, USING COMMANDS AND INDUSTRY REGARDING SPECIAL OPERATIONS AIRCRAFT NEEDS; AND (C) TO PROVIDE TECHNOLOGY GUIDANCE FOR TECHNOLOGIES PERTIENT TO THE CONCEPT DESIGNS. THE OUTPUTS OF THE PROPOSED TWO PHASED EFFORT INCLUDE A CREDIBLE SET OF DESIGNS FOR LOCKHEED GEORGIA, A SUBSTANTIAL SET OF SOF REQUIREMENTS, AND A TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT ON EACH DESIGN CONCEPT.