The Future of Allied Air Power: The United States Air Force
Abstract
This Scientific Report is the first in a series of reports for the Commanding Officer of the Canadian Forces Aerospace Warfare Centre. Their purpose is to inform discussions of capability and concept development within both the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), as well as providing an important input into Canadian policy development. The methodology adopted begins with an analysis of the policy and supporting strategy framework of, in this case, the United States (US) to develop an understanding of the direction being given to its military on the areas of the world and threats against which it is to prepare. On the basis of this understanding of the key tenets of US strategic thinking it is possible to identify those concepts and capabilities being developed to prepare the US Air Force(USAF) to meet those threats. The findings of this analysis are that the new Air/Sea Battle concept is a main pillar of US strategic thinking, and one with capability development implications for the RCAF and CAF in general. At the same time, the USAF is seeking to find cost-effective means to project effective air power into low- to mid-intensity conflicts such as the ongoing mission in Syria. When completed, this larger analytical effort could serve a range of functions within the Department of National Defence and the CAF, from focusing RCAF capability and concept development through to informing joint force and policy development.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2014
- Accession Number
- AD1018045
Entities
People
- Brad W. Gladman
Organizations
- Defence Research and Development Canada