Accession Number:

ADA624215

Title:

Dark Horizon: Airpower Revolution on a Razors Edge - Part Two of the Nightfall Series

Descriptive Note:

Journal article

Corporate Author:

AIR AND SPACE POWER JOURNAL MAXWELL AFB AL

Personal Author(s):

• Byrnes, Michael W.

Report Date:

2015-10-01

Pagination or Media Count:

27.0

Abstract:

The release of Nightfall Machine Autonomy in Air-to-Air Combat in the May June 2014 issue of Air and Space Power Journal generated substantial conversation about the future of airpower, reaching across the Air Force, the joint team, and the defense industry.1 Achieving the end states and national advantage proposed by Nightfall requires an articulation of airpower theory and a committed institution. Consequently, this second article in a planned series addresses the organization of today s precursors that bear the title remotely piloted aircraft RPA employed by Air Combat Command, Air Force Special Operations Command, and various other government agencies.2 As Colin Gray observes, no weapon is strategic in and of itself but is merely a means for the construction of an actual strategy.3 Nevertheless, RPAs in the hands of coalition forces and other government agencies have done much to reverse the calculus of global counterinsurgency in favor of organized states.4 Perhaps most telling of all are moments when insurgents beg for a fight but then offer a caveat regarding the invitation by asking for relief from robotic aircraft.5

Descriptors:

• *AIR POWER
• COUNTERINSURGENCY
• DEFENSE SYSTEMS
• REMOTELY PILOTED VEHICLES
• THEORY

Subject Categories:

• Military Operations, Strategy and Tactics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE