British Air Power demonstrates how the Royal Air Force sought to adapt in regard to the roles it could play and the conflicts in which it could be used, as well as the evolution of air power doctrine at a time of rapid changes in national politics and in the international arena. The development of new concepts and theories, the evaluation of operational experience, the political environment and budgetary cuts, and the role of academics and personalities in development of doctrine are thus all explored to show changes in strategic thinking regarding air power.Fedorchak further examines the influence of jointery – the process of co-operation between the army, navy and air force – on thinking, conceptualising, teaching and using air power in recent operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Syria. A contemporary complement to more historical studies, British Air Power provides a very detailed look at the development of air-land doctrine in the RAF since the turn of the century.
Viktoriya Fedorchak is an independent scholar. Her field of expertise includes air power, military and RAF doctrine and contemporary warfare.
List of FiguresList of TablesList of AbbreviationsIntroduction1. Theory2. The Historical Context3. Case Study of the Third Edition of AP 3000 (Part I)4. Case Study of the Third Edition of AP 3000 (Part II)5. Case Study of the Fourth Edition of AP 30006. Case Study of JDP 0-307. Air Power Today and the FutureConclusionBibliography
Meticulously researched, trenchantly argued and nicely written, Fedorchak's book demonstrates that military culture and strategy shape and are shaped by doctrine. In the case of the RAF, this process has been based on history, but looks forward to future conflict. The move to incorporate airpower into joint warfare is now the crucial capstone to the doctrinal process.