Airpower in the Next Millennium

Abstract

Abstract : What should the United States Air Force be able to accomplish in the next millennium? Should we acquire new weapons systems that will cost the United States hundreds of billions of dollars? What part should airpower doctrine play in weapons system acquisition? How will changes in technology drive changes in operations and weapons system acquisition. How have airpower doctrine changes occurred in the past? Can we draw accurate conclusions of what the future should or could be by looking to the history of airpower? Chapter One looks at the development of Airpower Doctrine from the early days of the Army Air Corps, up through the end of World War II. Chapter Two addresses the issue of Airpower Doctrine by analyzing and tracing the history of Air Force Doctrine since World War II. This chapter includes recommendations for sweeping changes to prepare the United States Air Force to meet the challenges of the next millennium. Chapter Three looks at the United States Air Force in the Next Millennium. Primary focus of this chapter is future Air Force weapons systems, and their acquisition. The objective of the research is to determine what capabilities the Air Force should have in the 21st Century this is most easily defined in terms of weapons systems. The primary method of research for this project was extensive review of past, current and future airpower documents. These documents included everything from Air Force Historical Studies, to the latest version of Global Engagement: A Vision for the 21st Century Air Force.