English

DTIC ADA612696: Rolling Thunder to Linebacker: U.S. Fixed Wing Survivability Over North Vietnam

The Vietnam War contained two major air campaigns, Operations Rolling Thunder (March 2, 1965-March 31, 1968) and Linebacker I (May 10, 1972-October 23, 1972). They each had the strategic goal of deterring North Vietnam's assistance to the Viet Cong in South Vietnam. During the peak year of operations in Rolling Thunder, 1967, 321 U.S. aircraft were lost, vice 95 during Linebacker I. Once standardized by loss per sortie, an improving trend of survivability for U.S. aircraft is apparent. This thesis will examine why the Linebacker I offensive of the Vietnam War showed improved survivability for U.S. aircraft when compared to the operations of 1967 during Operation Rolling Thunder. It will examine the operational decision making of both operations and what effects this may have had on losses. It will examine the shortcomings and technical developments of U.S. airpower between 1965 and 1972. Furthermore, it will examine the evolution of North Vietnam's air defenses, and the U.S. tactics developed to counter this evolution. Finally, it determines the root causes of U.S. losses and the evolutionary improvements in material, tactics, and leadership that allowed an improving trend of survi

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