Sky Wars: A History of Military Aerospace Power (Reaktion Books - Contemporary Worlds)

In Sky Wars , David Gates examines the history of military aerospace power. He examines technical developments between the First and Second World Wars, and the use of air power in subsequent wars. At the same time he explores the military and civil applications of air power in the contemporary world, some of which have led to scientific and technical advances of great benefit to humanity. He also covers the latest developments in "smart" technologies used in the war with Iraq. David Gates is deputy director of the Centre for Defence and Inter-national Security Studies at Lancaster University, U.K. He is the author of many books, including Warfare in the Nineteenth Century (2001). Annotation. Unlike land and maritime military warfare, which has evolved over thousands of years, the history of war in the air is as short as it has been spectacular: only 100 years have passed since the first flight in a powered aircraft. Despite its brief history, however, military air power is not an insignificant part of the modern military machine: on the contrary, it has played a strikingly prominent role in recent conflicts and humanitarian relief operations, and is likely to take the leading position in many future ones. In the decades since World War II the skies, and increasingly space, have acquired ever more importance as the ultimate "high ground". In Sky Wars , David Gates examines the history of military aerospace power, discussing technical developments between both World Wars and the use of air power in specific wars in the latter part of the 20th century, including the recent conflict with Iraq. At the same time he analyses the military and civil applications of airpower in the contemporary world, some of which have led to scientific and technical advances of great benefit to humanity. As well as looking at the ways in which developments in air power, military prowess and space exploration have had a major impact on our daily lives, he highlights more contentious issues, for example the so-called "CNN factor", whereby the increasing capacity for journalistic intrusion into ongoing military operations compels armed forces to be much more sensitive to public opinion. Sky Wars Is A History Of Military Air Power, From The Early Airships Through Two World Wars And Various Colonial And Regional Conflicts To The Use Of Air Power Today, Including The Recent Conflicts Involving Iraq. Radar, Missiles, Carriers, 'stealth' Aircraft, Helicopters, Ordnance And Numerous Other Crucial Features Of War In The Air Feature In It. In Addition, As Well As Revealing The Ways In Which Developments In Air Power, Military Prowess And Space Exploration Have Had A Major Impact On Daily Life, Sky Wars Deals With More Contentious Issues, For Example The Ways In Which Armed Forces Now Respond To The Escalating Media Intrusions Into Ongoing Military Operations.--jacket. Pt. 1. History. War In And From The Skies, 1903-1943 -- The Aerospace Era, 1943-2003 -- Pt. 2. Issues. Aerospace Power's Evident Nature And Its Impact On War And Peace -- Bases Ashore And Afloat -- Missile-defence Dilemmas. David Gates. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 218-220) And Index. Imprint......Page 6 Contents......Page 7 Preface......Page 9 Part One: History......Page 11 1 War in and from the Skies, 1903–1943......Page 13 2 The Aerospace Era, 1943–2003......Page 61 Part Two: Issues......Page 151 3 Aerospace Power’s Evident Nature and its Impact on War and Peace......Page 153 4 Bases Ashore and Afloat......Page 179 Missile-Defence Dilemmas......Page 194 Abbreviations......Page 209 References......Page 211 Selected Further Reading......Page 220 Index......Page 223 In __Sky Wars__, David Gates examines the history of military aerospace power. He examines technical developments between the First and Second World Wars, and the use of air power in subsequent wars. At the same time he explores the military and civil applications of air power in the contemporary world, some of which have led to scientific and technical advances of great benefit to humanity. He also covers the latest developments in "smart" technologies used in the war with Iraq. Forfatteren, Deputy Director of the Centre for Defence and International Security Studies ved Lancaster University, beskriver udviklingen af de militære luftstridskræfter, herunder strategier og doktriner, fra anvendelsen af luftskibe til de i dag moderne våbensystemer. Endvidere analyseres, hvorledes væbnede styrker i dag håndterer mediernes involvering i løbende militære operationer