An Airpower Application Framework: Modeling Coercive Airpower Strategies

Abstract

This study focuses on the development of a theoretical framework for the application of coercive airpower strategies that can be used in the construction of a decision aid for use by airpower strategists. The author begins this work by synthesizing the theoretical concepts of several strategic airpower analysts. The result of this synthesis is an Airpower Application Framework (AAF), which provides a guide for understanding and evaluating the coercive mechanisms that tie the ends of policy to the means of military force. The author then undertakes a review of on-going modeling and simulation efforts within the Air Force and assesses their use within the AAF. He notes a shortcoming in techniques for strategic policy analysis and introduces the concept of exploratory modeling as a possible remedy. After discussing the difficulties inherent in modeling complex, human-driven activities, the author concludes with a brief review of the implications of foregoing the implementation of decision aids such as the AAF.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1998
Accession Number
ADA391811

Entities

People

  • Anthony M. Weigand

Organizations

  • Air University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Counter WMD
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Engineered Resilient Systems
  • Ground and Sea Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Power
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Doctrine
  • Game Theory
  • International Relations
  • Mathematical Models
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Science
  • National Security
  • Operations Research
  • Predictive Modeling
  • Recreation
  • Students
  • War Colleges
  • War Games
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies
  • Software Engineering.