The Art of Military Discovery. Chinese Air and Space Power Implications for the USAF

Abstract

Knowledge and understanding of potential adversaries are imbedded in the art of military discovery. The art of discovery, as defined by Sir Francis Bacon, involves first seeking out and setting before you "all that has been said about it by others." This is accomplished in military circles, although not well, through the academic exercises of research, exchange of thoughts and ideas, and debate in areas of military analysis, political and cultural awareness, history, and personal experience. Following these, one is left to what Bacon calls "evoking the spirit to provide oracles," or in more modern language, seeking inspiration for original thought and insight into an issue. This article attempts to use Bacon's methods regarding the art of "military discovery" concerning Chinese air and space power and its implications for the US Air Force while simultaneously analyzing the current methods of military discovery employed by the Department of Defense (DoD) and the USAF community.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2010
Accession Number
ADA514877

Entities

People

  • Sean D. Mcclung
  • Xiaoming Zhang

Organizations

  • Air War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

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

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerial Warfare
  • Air Defense
  • Air Force
  • Air Power
  • Airborne Warning And Control System
  • Aircrafts
  • Combat Areas
  • Command And Control
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Doctrine
  • Flight Training
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Science
  • Students
  • Tanker Aircraft
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Space