What is close air support used for?

Close air support (CAS) is about providing airborne firepower for troops on the ground who may be operating in close proximity to the enemy. This proximity increases the value of such characteristics as accuracy and responsiveness.

Was there close air support in ww2?

Close air support, like air power itself, came of age in World War II. Before the war, air power theorists generally focused on bombers, whose long range and heavy payloads could threaten distant enemy industrial centers. They might even win future wars without ground forces.

Which aircraft are best for close air support?

With the perpetual drama surrounding which aircraft is better suited for supporting troops in contact, Close Air Support (CAS) has become a hotly debated topic in military aviation. Both the A-10C Thunderbolt II and the Lockheed-Martin F-35, Joint Strike Fighter have pros and cons.

Is it time to shift from close air support to close joint support?

For this reason, absent a large aircraft recapitalization effort across the Alliance, it is apparent that other joint capabilities are going to need to be integrated into close tactical support of ground troops. Perhaps it is time to consider shifting our paradigm from Close Air Support to Close Joint Support.

What are CAS missions and how do they work?

There are two basic types of CAS missions: On-Demand and Preplanned. In a preplanned mission, you are fragged to support a specific operation. It could be SEALs trying to take down a high-value target or a convoy of Strykers traveling a dangerous highway. With preplanned missions, you typically get more specific mission products.

Is NATO’s close air support capabilities mature?

Because of this, NATO’s Close Air Support (CAS) and Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) capabilities have matured along these lines. However, within the last four years the strategic geopolitical scenario has rapidly and dramatically evolved with the re-emergence of near-peer adversaries.