Warden and the Air Corps Tactical School

Abstract

This study answers the following questions: Is John A. Warden III's, "The Enemy as a System" analogous to the Air Corps Tactical Schools (ACTS) industrial web theory of airpower employment? If so why (given the 50 plus years between development of these theories)? If not, what are the prime sources of divergence? The author first describes both theories using an outline from which they are compared on an apples to apples" basis. From this analysis, similarities and differences are presented. Next, the author discusses contextual factors affecting development of both theories. A baseline is developed from which factors from both eras are compared. After linking relevant contextual factors of the 192Os-'3Os and 198Os-'9Os, the author explains why the theories of ACTS and Warden are more similar than different. Finally, implications are drawn from the preceding analysis to address the issue of how airpower theory should be developed.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 1999
Accession Number
ADA371307

Entities

People

  • Scott D. West

Organizations

  • Air University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Counter WMD
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerial Warfare
  • Air Force
  • Air Force Facilities
  • Air Power
  • Aircrafts
  • Bombing
  • Civil Engineering
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Instructors
  • International Relations
  • Military Aircraft
  • Military Operations
  • Military Organizations
  • National Security
  • Second World War
  • United States
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Computer Science.
  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies