Aerospaceborne forces

Aerospaceborne forces, in the modern context, are military units, usually light infantry, set up to be moved by spacecraft, aircraft or aerospacecraft and "dropped" into battle, typically by parachute or jump-pack. Thus, they can be placed behind enemy lines, and have the capability to deploy almost anywhere with little warning.

Aerospaceborne forces are an evolution of the older airborne forces, taking advantage of space as a new battlefield environment to move troops. The formations are limited only by the number and size of their craft, so given enough capacity a huge force can appear "out of nowhere" in minutes, an action referred to as vertical envelopment.

Conversely, aerospaceborne forces typically lack the supplies and equipment for prolonged combat operations, and are therefore more suited for airhead operations than for long-term occupation; furthermore, parachute operations are particularly sensitive to adverse weather conditions.