What factor can undermine the efficacy of an air assault operation?

The availability of air routes is a crucial factor that can significantly undermine the efficacy of an air assault operation. Air routes are vital for ensuring that aircraft can safely navigate to and from the area of operation. If air routes are congested, restricted, or threatened by enemy defenses, it can lead to delays, increased risk to aircraft, or even prevent the operation from being executed effectively. A well-planned air assault relies on clear, secure routes to transport forces and supplies to the intended location while also ensuring a timely response to any emerging threats. Thus, without the availability of reliable air routes, the overall success of the air assault operation could be compromised.

In contrast, the size of the ground force, while important for operational success, does not get directly impacted by air route availability and often relates more to tactical effectiveness rather than the execution of the air assault. The number of civilian operations ongoing could pose challenges in a broad operational area but does not inherently affect the air assault itself unless those operations intersect with flight paths. The integration of automated systems can enhance operational effectiveness and does not typically hinder the execution of air assaults unless there is a failure in the systems being used.