Doctrine is the True Center of Gravity for Force Transformation

Abstract

Transformation is a much-used term in operational literature and the popular press. However, it is usually discussed in terms of systems (e.g. F-22, Crusader, DD-21). Little attention or press is given to doctrine and transformation. This paper asserts that doctrine is the center of gravity for force transformation. It looks at the Japanese, British, and American experience developing aircraft carriers between WW I and WW II. The technical, fiscal, and political environment in which the development occurred is analyzed and key themes from the each nation's development practices are identified as well as how these themes influenced relative success or failure in the development. The paper then shows that today's development environment is highly similar. The key themes from aircraft carrier development are doctrine based (vice technology based) and are extrapolated to form suggestions for how today's leaders may best focus efforts to successfully transform the military force.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 13, 2002
Accession Number
ADA409146

Entities

People

  • Jonathan C. Wright

Organizations

  • Naval War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerial Warfare
  • Aircraft Carriers
  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Carrier Based Aircraft
  • Command And Control
  • Employment
  • Fighter Aircraft
  • Lessons Learned
  • Military Operations
  • Military Organizations
  • Naval Aviation
  • Navy
  • Pulsed Power
  • Security
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Economics
  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
  • Theoretical Analysis.