Theoretical determination of air operations and anti-air operations

Abstract

This paper presents a theoretical determination of air and anti-air operations as a symbiotic unity of combat and non-combat activities, which in modern warfare mostly have a decisive effect on the outcome of an armed conflict. The determination of the above terminology phrases was done in accordance with the contemporary update of defense science theoretical fund, as a result of the improvement of military technologies and their application in contemporary armed conflicts and operational environment in which these conflicts are conducted. Namely, doctrinal considerations of powerful and modernly equipped armies foresee that the air force, with massive use of aviation and airborne weapons, executes critical combat missions in potential armed conflicts and, thus, have a direct effect on their outcomes. Modern forms of demonstration of force and power mostly start and end with deployment of sophisticated air forces, and limited use of other armed services. The development of the aircraft with reduced radar signature (stealth technology), missiles with small reflex surfaces, high precision and significantly increased destructive power (cruise missiles), and the growing use of unmanned aircraft (UAVs), reduce the probability of own losses and increase own efficiency of attacks against the selected target. In armed conflict environment, where the primary targets of air operations become valuable facilities and ones of special importance for the adversary in the conflict (strategic facilities of political and economic importance, power plants and networks, population, and material goods), their locations require the deployment of anti-air operation forces, whereby these operations and counter-operations assume new quality based on exponential progressive development in the military technology field.