THE FINDINGS OF THIS STUDY SHOW THAT MISSION REQUIREMENTS AND SERVICES DESIRED SHOULD BE THE PRIME FACTOR WHEN CONSIDERING ACQUISITION OF EQUIPMENT FOR A NEW, OR AS AN ADDITION TO EXISTING, AERIAL SUPPORT PROGRAM. THE REPORT CONCLUDES THAT THE FUNCTION OF AIRSHIP PATROL IN DIRECT SUPPORT OF POLICE GROUND UNITS IS MORE PRODUCTIVELY SERVED BY HELICOPTERS. THEIR SUPERIOR ABILITY TO PROVIDE AN INCREASED MEASURE OF SAFETY TO GROUND PERSONNEL AND THEIR INCREASED OBSERVATION CAPABILITIES MAKE THEM BY FAR THE MOST EFFECTIVE AERIAL SUPPORT VEHICLE. MISSION REQUIREMENTS WHICH DO NOT INCLUDE CLOSE SUPPORT OF GROUND UNITS SUCH AS SOME SURVEILLANCE MISSIONS, TRANSPORTATION FLIGHTS, AND SPECIALIZED PATROLS FOR FIRE DETECTION OR TRAFFIC CONTROL MAY BE SERVED AS WELL AND MORE ECONOMICALLY BY USING FIXED-WING AIRCRAFT. THE LONGER FLIGHT DURATION CAPABILITIES AND INCREASED CREW COMFORT AFFORDED BY THE AIRPLANES INCREASE THEIR USEFULNESS IN THESE AREAS. SEE NCJ-36305 FOR APPENDIXES. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)