This monograph discusses the importance and growing role of air defense in the "lower" end of the conflict spectrum. There is root a broad understanding in our current doctrinal literature of the increasing air threat in "low-intensity conflicts" and "limited wars" and how air defense can be used to counter that threat. This monograph examines the air defense demands that these modern conflicts may engender and shows how they have implications for U.S. air defense doctrine. This study first examines the general role of air defense in tactical theory and then develops theoretical guidelines for a tactical theory of air defense in the low-intensity to limited war range of the conflict spectrum. Next, the historical examples of Vietnam, Afghanistan, The Falklands, and Lebanon are analyzed to test the validity of the theoretical constructs. Finally, current doctrine is compared to the findings of the theoretical and historical examinations to determine how well it meets the demands of low-intensity conflicts and limited war. The monograph concludes that a doctrinal void exists between current air defense doctrine and the demands of the lower end of the conflict spectrum. Doctrinal guidelines are presented to provide the basis for a needed and suitable air defense doctrine. These include: The importance of considering the vertical dimension in the IPB; specific considerations when offering military assistance in the form of air defense; an appreciation for the political complexity of these conflicts and its effect on air defense; the special effects air defense systems may have in such operations; and a caution against rigid application of conventional high-intensity air defense tactics to the lower end of the conflict spectrum.

ADA 211004 Approved for public release; Distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)