Analogical Reasoning in Orbital Warfare

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to codify and evaluate the analogical reasoning present in the literature concerning space warfare. As the United States Space Force establishes a corps of Orbital Warfare professionals, those officers and enlisted personnel must understand which analogies are often evoked and how they assist or distort an accurate understanding of space forces and the space domain. This paper will provide two frameworks to assist space professionals in analyzing analogies and using those analogies productively. An analysis of two analogiesone between early airpower and modern space power and one between the high seas and the space domainis then provided. Finally, an analysis of how those two analogies distort or promote comprehension of orbital warfare and space warfighting in general is provided along with best practices for the use of analogies.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2020
Accession Number
AD1112583

Entities

People

  • Aaron D Lynch

Organizations

  • Air University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • C4I
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerial Warfare
  • Air Force
  • Air Power
  • Aircrafts
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Fighter Aircraft
  • Instructors
  • Military Aircraft
  • Military Applications
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Science
  • National Security
  • Naval Warfare
  • Space Systems
  • Spacecraft
  • War Colleges

Readers

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.

Technology Areas

  • Space