A key component will be close air support , or CAS, which the US Air Force defines as "air action by aircraft against hostile targets that are in close proximity to friendly forces."
But air support became more responsive "as the ground forces became more motorized and mechanized, and PLAAF capabilities improved."
But the biggest limitation for Chinese close air support remains command and control.
AdvertisementWhile China is beginning to make strides here, the PLA's approach to close air support has key differences with America's.
Chinese CAS also "appears to have a simpler and streamlined command and coordination system compared to U.S. close air support," wrote McCauley.
Persons:
Kevin McCauley, McCauley, Ethan R, Jones, Brendan Mulvaney, Mulvaney
Organizations:
Service, Business, US Air Force, Air, Marine Corps, People's Liberation Army, People's Liberation Army Air Force, US, Foreign Military Studies, CAFS, US Army, US 9th Air Force, CAS, US Marine Corps, PLA, US Air, China Aerospace Studies Institute
Locations:
China, Taiwan, Ukraine, Russian, Soviet, Normandy, Britain, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq