<
--------------
STRATFOR.com
--------------
THE INTERNET SOURCE FOR GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE
If it’s in the news, it’s too late...
Afghan War Will Shape Future U.S. Military Structure
October 23, 2001
Summary
U.S. defense officials have acknowledged that the United States is using armed drones in Afghanistan. This development is important not so much for what it contributes to the war effort there but for what it contributes to the ongoing debate over U.S. defense restructuring. Deployment of unmanned combat air vehicles could signal a major shift in the focus of Air Force planners away from manned tactical aircraft. This is just one of many repercussions the Sept. 11 attacks and the war in Afghanistan could have on the future structure of U.S. forces.
Analysis
U.S. defense officials have acknowledged that the United States is using armed drones in Afghanistan. This could have a substantial impact on the debate over U.S. defense restructuring.
Deployment of unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAVs) could signal a major shift in the focus of Air Force planners away from manned tactical aircraft. This will be just one of the many repercussions the Sept. 11 attacks and the war in Afghanistan will have on the future structure of U.S. forces.
Bush administration officials have repeatedly said the United States is now waging "a new kind of war." That new war is already revealing weaknesses in force structure, and Defense Department officials are taking their first steps to deal with the new shape of battle.
(The Rest of the Story)
(c) 2001 Stratfor, Inc.
Dan
Afghan War Will Shape Future U.S. Military Structure . . .