It includes ground troops with supporting artillery, amphibious assault vehicles and light armour, plus transport and attack helicopters and perhaps AV-8B Harrier jet fighter-bombers, capable of taking off and landing vertically.

BBC: F/A-18C prepares to launch from the USS Enterprise

As with earlier efforts to bring to fruition revolutionary technology, like the helicopter and the Harrier "jump jet, " the military undertakes difficult challenges when the pay-off is clear and the risks acceptable.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy