The Beginning of the End: Are U.S. Navy Helicopters Still Relevant?

reportActive / Technical Report | Accesssion Number: AD1164466 | Open PDF

Abstract:

U.S. Navy helicopters emerged as an innovative concept during World War II and have been a major component of naval aviation for over 70 years. Despite consistent support and a surge of resources at the turn of the 21st century, new concepts - such as the "Carrier Air Wing of the Future," which reduces the helicopter footprint within the carrier air wing by over 30 percent - appear to signal that the Navy is moving on from helicopters. What explains the U.S. Navy's apparent deemphasis of the helicopter community? This thesis addresses and seeks to explain this apparent deemphasis by analyzing the Navy helicopter community through five models of military innovation studies. Ultimately, this thesis finds that no single model provides a sufficient explanation. Instead, the Navys treatment of helicopters is a result of the combined dynamics and interaction of all five models. Finally, this thesis provides several recommendations for future Navy policy toward helicopters.

Author(s):
Pretzinger, Philip D.
Author Organization(s):
NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY CA
Funding Organization(s):
NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY CA, MONTEREY , CA
Document Type:
Technical Report/Master's Thesis
Publication Date:
2021 Sep 01
Pagination:
89

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution Code:
A - Approved For Public Release
Distribution Statement: Public Release

RECORD

Collection: TRECMS
Subject Terms
Modernization Areas:
Autonomy
Communities of Interest:
Air Platforms
Descriptor(s):
airframes, aircraft industry, fighter aircraft, naval operations, naval warfare, navy, military organizations, military aviation, warfare, fixed wing aircraft, military applications, short takeoff aircraft, antisubmarine warfare, contingency operations (military), littoral warfare, naval aviation, unmanned aerial systems
Keyword(s):
aviation history, rotary wing aviation, carrier aviation, emerging technology, innovation, adaptation, civil military relations, inter service rivalry, intra service rivalry, organizational culture, strategic culture, distributed maritime operations, great power competition, defense capabilities
Subject Categories:
Aviation Technology; Aviation Technology
Creation Date:
2022 Mar 23
Update Date:
2022 May 02