Casualty Insurance: Airpower's Double Indemnity
Abstract
From Sun Tzu to Carl von Clausewitz, many theorists have attempted to explain the intricacies of war so that it could be fought and won efficiently. From its origins, airpower was believed to make war more humane through its inherent ability to attack quickly and discriminately, ultimately leading to fewer casualties. Following Clausewitz's trinity of violence, uncertainty, and logic, this thesis suggests that wars nature and the requirement for efficiency in conflict influences airpower innovation. This thesis proposes that the logic of self-preservation and casualty-aversion has driven airpower innovation since the end of the Vietnam conflict.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2017
- Accession Number
- AD1042203
Entities
People
- Sean P. Cullen
Organizations
- School of Advanced Air and Space Studies