Air University (AU) > AUPress > Articles - Category Papers

May 1, 2002
The Transformation Trinity

Major McClintock develops a generalized model for United States military transformations in peacetime. He combines observations made by several historians about recurrent trends in military strategic innovation. He concludes that, after taking into account inevitable uncertainty, there are three
April 1, 2002
Iran’s Strategic Culture and Weapons of Mass Destruction

In this study, Lt Col Anthony C. Cain, PhD, analyzes the relationship between Iran’s strategic culture and weapons of mass destruction. Following the Iranian Revolution in 1979, foreign policy experts in the West had trouble comprehending the cleric’s politicized Shi’i ideology and
Dec. 1, 2001
Expeditionary Air Operations in Africa: Challenges and Solutions

Colonel Kwiatkowski details air operations challenges in Africa, and she discusses how the USAF currently meets or avoids these challenges. She contends that Africa is like the "western frontier" of America's history-undeveloped, brimming with opportunity as well as danger, and that it
Dec. 1, 2001
Comparative Analysis of Internal and External Solutions to Provide Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation Functionality

Major Panarisi summarizes the development of current and proposed family of Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation (ACMI) systems-considered the gold standard of training mission enhancements-and presents the capabilities each system provides. He uses the Kadena Interim Training System as a suitable
Oct. 1, 2001
Ethnic Conflict and US Central Command Policy for the Central Asian Republics

This paper identifies a possible shortfall in United States (US) military planning, the experience of US Central Command (CENTCOM) planners in dealing with the Central Asian States. Their emphasis is understandably focused on Iraq, Iran, and Pakistan. This paper develops for these planners the most
Aug. 1, 2001
China in Space

On 8 October 1956, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, presided over by Mao Tse-tung, established the Fifth Re-search Academy of the Ministry of National Defense to develop a space effort. This was the official beginning of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) space program.
Aug. 1, 2001
Air Mobility: The Key to the United States National Security Strategy

Maj Richard J. Hazdra’s Air Mobility: The Key to the United States National Security is an examination of the force structure of Air Mobility Command (AMC) based on a model for two major theater wars. His study examines this organization’s current force structure. Air mobility is the key
Aug. 1, 2001
Preventing Catastrophe

Col Wojtysiak, USAF, proposes a response to the dangerous proliferation of nuclear weapons in India and Pakistan. This paper highlights the threat in "The Nuclear Catastrophe of 2005," a gripping projection of the worstcase scenario on the current realities of the Indian subcontinent.
June 1, 2001
The Art of Wing Leadership and Aircrew Morale in Combat

Colonel Zentner addresses the role that the air force wing commander plays in affecting the level of aircrew morale during combat. He defines aircrew morale and establishes a framework within which aircrew morale can be assessed in three historical case studies of air combat. Colonel Zentner answers
June 1, 2001
Identifying and Mitigating the Risks of Cockpit Automation

Cockpit automation has delivered many promised benefits, such as improved system safety and efficiency; however, at the same time it has imposed system costs that are often manifest in the forms of mode confusion, errors of omission, and automation surprises. An understanding of the nature of these