O emprego da aviação de patrulha em proveito das forças navais: uma análise da Guerra do Golfo entre agosto de 1990 e fevereiro de 1991

Abstract

Amid a scenario marked by diffuse threats and operational challenges in the maritime domain, maritime patrol aviation demonstrated its adaptability and strategic relevance. During the First Gulf War, these assets took part in coalition naval operations assuming roles beyond their traditional anti-submarine mission. This study examines their employment through the lens of a functional model that categorizes the main missions of maritime air power. The research is structured combining doctrinal analysis, historical reconstruction, and technical-operational examination. The study identifies and describes the missions assigned to maritime patrol aviation in the Gulf, the assets employed, the environments in which they operated, and the contributions provided in support of naval forces. A predominance of intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, maritime interdiction, and command and control support missions is observed, with no employment of these assets in direct force projection against land targets. Although deployed in a high-intensity conflict, patrol aircraft were primarily tasked with countering asymmetric threats such as small boats, mines, and sabotage attempts. This discreet role was essential for operational synergy and for maintaining coalition maritime superiority. It is concluded that the Gulf War experience highlights the importance of doctrinal flexibility and confirms maritime patrol aviation as a multifunctional tool capable of supporting operations in hybrid environments with both effectiveness and discretion.