Integrating Weather Exploitation into Airpower and Space Power Doctrine

The Source of Basic Doctrine: Fundamental Characteristics of Airpower

Basic doctrine about airpower should begin with an identification of the inherent and fundamental characteristics of air forces. Doctrine then spells out the implications of these fundamental characteristics for military strategy and operations. The fundamental characteristic of air forces is that their basic items of equipment (aircraft) operate in the medium of the air. As stated in the Air F...

Assessing Airpower’s Effects: Capabilities and Limitations of Real-time Battle Damage Assessment by John T. Rauch, Jr a Thesis Presented to the Faculty of the School of Advanced Airpower Studies for Completion of Graduation Requirements School of Advanced Airpower Studies

This study analyzes how real-time Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) might contribute to airpower strategy and execution. It begins with a historical review of BDA during World War II, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf War. Next, it examines the current BDA doctrine, capabilities, and procedures to illustrate contemporary strengths and shortcomings. The author then identifies potential remedies to cont...

Airpower Produces Physical and Psychological Shock by Dominating

AUTHOR: LtCol Bradley J Smith, USAF TITLE: On Politics and Airpower FORMAT: Strategy Research Project DATE: 09 April 2002 PAGES: 43 CLASSIFICATION: Unclassified Airpower advocates point to the exponential increases in precision, stealth and power of modern air systems as proof positive of a new era in warfare. Yet such claims cannot be isolated from the political objective airpower ultimately s...

Developing Future Airpower Strategy

The strategic imperatives of military airpower have been widely debated since the beginnings of airpower itself. At the heart of these debates has been the idea of an airpower theory: a description, explanation, and even prediction for how and why airpower can provide advantage in military operations. This debate centers on the recognition that one must first create desirable parameters of an a...

SECURING THE HEAVENS: A PERSPECTIVE ON SPACE CONTROL by Major Ed Wilson A THESIS PRESENTED TO THE FACULTY OF THE SCHOOL OF ADVANCED AIRPOWER STUDIES FOR COMPLETION OF GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS SCHOOL OF ADVANCED AIRPOWER STUDIES