General Information
Airborne forces can be divided into three categories:
- Paratrooper Airborne Infantier— Infantry soldier landed by parachute from aircraft,
- Military Parachutist Soldier landed by parachute from aircraft
- Airlanding troops—landed by aircraft (usually glider),
- Air assault troops or airmobile infantry—transported to the battle by helicopter or by aircraft.
The basic premise of the Airborne is that they can arrive with such speed that a coherent defence cannot be mounted quickly. It is assumed that this tactical advantage cannot be sustained for very long, so paratroopers must either use the supplies of the enemy, be continuously resupplied by air or wait to be relieved by ground troops. Though Airborne troops are usually defenceless in transit, their sudden appearance can surprise or 'shock' defending forces for a short time.
Airborne forces are generally composed of infantry and light, non-armored vehicles and guns. In World War II light motorcycles were used by paratroopers; the American Cushman Model 53 and the British Welbike. After the Korean war, vehicles light enough to be dropped by parachute were developed, such as the M551 Sheridan tank. The Soviets developed the BMD-1 and BMD-3 fighting vehicles. Helicopters can transport light armored vehicles such as the German Wiesel AWC, LAV-25 and British CVR(T) series. Large transports can carry only small numbers of main battle tanks or heavier infantry fighting vehicles.
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