New World Vistas: Air and Space Power for the 21st Century, Summary Volume.
Abstract
There appears to be widespread pressure for the United States to remain a stabilizing force throughout the globe. Our military forces are involved in dangerous humanitarian and peacekeeping operations at an increasing rate, and anti-terrorist operations can be expected to increase as well. Further, the domain of conflict is moving from earth into space and even into cyberspace. The crucial importance of detailed and timely knowledge and rapid communications to the successful pursuit of our new missions will demand creative use of commercial systems and technologies. This will produce an intimate intertwining of commercial and military applications to an extent not yet encountered. New sensor fusion and distributed processing capabilities will make operational distinctions such as onboard and offboard or space and ground obsolete. New technologies will permit improvement of existing systems, but new systems and new concepts will be needed to cope with the world of the 21st century. The USAF Scientific Advisory Board has endeavored to define the capabilities which will result from emerging technologies during the next three decades, and we have attempted to point the way toward achieving those capabilities as the Air Force enters the Information Age. We hope that our work will succeed in helping to prepare the Air Force for the approaching revolution in the use of military power.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA321858