Aviation Squadron Organization Development of the Navy's Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System (LAMPS) Mk III

This paper examines the evolution of the U.S. Navy's SH-6OB, LAMPS Mk III aircraft and squadron methodology. It analyzes current HSL organization design and introduces alternative organization structures to support this new helicopter community when it is introduced in the fleet in 1983-84. It begins with a statement of the issue which includes a concise historical overview of the LAMPS program and discusses its tactical and support missions. It next examines the conventional naval air squadron organization methodology from which LAMPS squadrons are designed and manned. A statistical analysis of operational fleet HSL squadrons is presented which concludes that conventional squadron design methodology does not support the unique LAMPS community. Four general alternative organization models are proposed followed by a discussion of the possible utilization of the Naval Flight Officer in the LAMPS System. The paper concludes with a summary of the proposals from which organization redesign may result and offers recommendations to that process. (Author)