The Army and Space: Historic Perspectives on Future Prospects.
ARMY COMMAND AND GENERAL STAFF COLL FORT LEAVENWORTH KS
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This study reviews the Armys involvement in the nations space activities during the late 1950s when the Army went from being the clear leader in space research and operations to a position of relatively minor significance by 1961. The purpose of this analysis is to reveal those forces responsible for the rapid departure by the Army form the space field. Such an analysis is important now since the Army appears ready to dramatically increase its activities in space. Unless Army leaders account for the existence of these same forces today, this service may be destined to repeat past mistakes, refight old battles, and, in the end, find important Army space aspirations frustrated. The forces identified include inter-service rivalry, national strategy controversy, and political and bureaucratic disputes. Each of these forces is examined and the consequences on the Army detailed. When the final bureaucratic and political battles are waged in 1961, the Army proves willing to trade off most of its space activities to fund much needed conventional force modernization. The reasons for the renewal of Army interest in space are examined along with the emerging organizational and policy initiatives concerning space undertaken by the Army. In a number of appendices, current Army statements of policy, organizational proposals, and study summaries are presented. The final chapter contains over 24 conclusions concerning potential problems facing Army leaders as the Army increases it involvement with space activities. These conclusions are all drawn based on historical antecedents and observations of emerging Army space intentions discussed. Author
- Military Operations, Strategy and Tactics