The American Revolution in Military Affairs

Abstract

We use the term "revolution in military affairs" (RMA) a lot today. It comes up in briefings at the Pentagon. Journalists and academics write about it. We discuss it within the Armed Forces and with military leaders from other nations. That is as it should be, for RMAs can be disturbing. They demand considerable debate and dialogue if we are to master them. So what is the current RMA? Where does it stand today? And where will it go? As the essays in this issue of JFQ suggest, the revolution is alive, healthy, growing, and stirring the debates, insights, and passions which accompany rapid and significant innovation, especially in the United States. Indeed, the world will increasingly refer to the "American" RMA, for while military thought outside this country reflects some aspects of what is underway, it is here that the discussion is deepest and the technologies that drive the revolution are most robust. And it is here that the integration of those technologies with each other and with military organization and doctrine has already begun.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1996
Accession Number
ADA516597

Entities

People

  • William A. Owens

Organizations

  • Joint Chiefs of Staff

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Agreements
  • American Revolution
  • Control Systems
  • Doctrine
  • Force Structure
  • Foreign Policy
  • Friction
  • Information Operations
  • Military Budgets
  • Military Organizations
  • National Security
  • Revolutions
  • System Of Systems
  • Tactical Air Support
  • United States
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Strategic Security Studies