Tomorrow's Air Force
Tracing the Past, Shaping the Future

Jeffrey J. Smith (Author)

9780253010780

Hardback, published 1 November 2013

272 pages, 24 b&w illus.
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.5 cm, 0.499 kg

With the Air Force bracing itself for a future of tight budgets, rapid technological change, and strategic uncertainty, its leaders at all levels must begin to ask themselves and each other some tough questions about the direction in which their service is headed. Those airmen willing to actively engage such discussions would do well to turn to Smith's book as the basic point of departure for debates concerning the intricate relationship between the Air Force's past, present, and future.

Looking ahead to future airpower requirements, this engaging and ground-breaking book on the history and future of American combat airpower argues that the USAF must adapt to the changes that confront it or risk decline into irrelevance. To provide decision makers with the necessary analytical tools, Jeffrey J. Smith uses organizational modeling to help explain historical change in the USAF and to anticipate change in the future. While the analysis and conclusions it offers may prove controversial, the book aims to help planners make better procurement decisions, institute appropriate long-term policy, and better organize, train, and equip the USAF for the future.

Preface
Introduction
Period One: 1907-1947
1. The Birth of Military Airpower
2. World War I and the Interwar Years
3. World War II
4. "Counting" the Changes in Period One
Period Two: 1947-1992
5. The Rise of Bomber Dominance: 1947-1965
6. Bomber Decline: 1965-1992
7. The Changing Leadership of Period Two
Period Three: 1992-2030
8. Fighter Pilot Dominance 1992-1994
9. From Bosnia to Allied Force: 1994-1999
10. September 11th, Afghanistan and Iraq: 2001-2011
11. Signs of Change: 1992-2010
12. Anticipating USAF Change
13. Framing the Survey Perspectives
14. Changing Leadership
15. Predicting the Future
16. Summary and Recommendations
Notes
Bibliography
Index