Major Kresna Hendra Wibawa / Flight 17 / AO-900 / 5 November 2023
The emergence of aviation technology has been forecasted to establish a novel sphere inside the realm of battle, thus assuming a pivotal role in determining military force, as anticipated by renowned figures such as Giulio Douhet, Hugh Trenchard, and William “Billy” Mitchell.[1] Airpower is first seen as a very susceptible component, but when advancements in time and technology occur, it evolves into a critical element of a nation’s military might. This is mainly attributed to its capacity to infiltrate deep into enemy territory. The evolution of airpower from its inception during World War I through the Vietnam War encompasses a dynamic interplay between continuity and change. This essay will explore the enduring nature of aerial reconnaissance, the evolution of technology in the field, and how these historical elements shape the contemporary employment of airpower in a world marked by complex and dynamic strategic competitions.
The use of aerial reconnaissance has
consistently played a significant role throughout the course of airpower
history. During the first stage of air power in World War I, before the
establishment of an independent Air Force, the role of air capability mostly
served as auxiliary components to support army and navy operations.[2] In
the battle of St. Mihiel, reconnaissance had been given precedence over
bombardment to provide data that is essential for initiating an attack against
the enemy.[3] The
aircraft utilized ranged from a modest biplane to more contemporary aircraft
such as the P-38 and RF-101 as technology advanced. But it all satisfies
Douhet’s criteria: appropriate speed, a wide radius of action, lightweight,
flawless communication, and the capacity to avoid direct confrontation.[4] Reconnaissance,
one of the components within the domain of airpower, however less renowned
compared to bombers and fighters, remains relatively obscure in terms of public
awareness of its presence and capabilities. The practice of reconnaissance
remains prevalent because of its pivotal function in acquiring intelligence about
the adversary’s locations, including their movement, fortifications, and
strategic components that constitute the enemies’ center of gravity.
Simultaneously, the
period spanning from World War I to the Vietnam War saw significant
technological changes. Not only changes in aircraft technology but also
alterations to armament. The use of aviation as an airpower began with airships
or air balloons.[5] Then
developed using aircraft that were initially still using propeller engines,
along the lines of time and the need to outperform the enemy’s capabilities,
aircraft began using jet engines. In addition, weapons have undergone numerous
changes, including increasing caliber sizes, the transition from free-fall
bombs to smart bombs guided by lasers or laser-guided bombs (LGB), and the
emergence of weaponry with enormous explosive power or weapon of mass
destruction (WMD) such as a nuclear weapon. Undoubtedly, the nature of warfare
exhibits significant various wars, particularly when considering disparate
temporal contexts. During the interwar, each nation had the chance to engage in
research and technical advancements to achieve technological superiority over
other countries. Technological change will never stop because, as Rear Admiral
R.D. Oliver said, “the appearance of a new weapon has always been followed by
suitable countermeasures.”[6] Technological
dominance may provide several advantages for a nation, including both direct impact
and deterrent impacts.
The continuity
of reconnaissance and the transformative impact of technological advancements
significantly influence airpower employment in contemporary strategic
competition. Aerial reconnaissance, whose origins date back to the earliest
days of aviation, ensures that military forces maintain a decisive advantage by
providing accurate, real-time intelligence on adversary activities and
intentions. The evolution of technology, including unmanned aerial systems,
advanced sensors, and satellites, has increased the precision and breadth of
reconnaissance, enabling airpower to identify targets with remarkable accuracy
and engage in multi-domain operations. In today’s complex strategic
environment, the synergy between the enduring practice of reconnaissance and
technological advance enables the Air Force to operate with great situational
awareness, respond swiftly to emerging threats, and deter adversaries while
also facilitating the protection of critical infrastructure and the effective
management of asymmetric and counterterrorism challenges. This dynamic
combination underscores airpower’s continued relevance and adaptability in
safeguarding national interests and responding to the evolving challenges of
contemporary strategic competition.
In summary, the
interaction between the consistent use of aerial surveillance and the
advancements in technology within the field of airpower has resulted in a
captivating storyline that encompasses the first stages of aviation to the
complex obstacles faced in modern strategic rivalries. The practice of aerial
reconnaissance, characterized by its steadfast commitment to acquiring precise
and timely information, has remained an essential component in airpower,
demonstrating its ability to adapt to the evolving nature of combat.
Concurrently, the profound impact of technology, spanning from the first
biplanes to contemporary precision-guided weapons and sophisticated sensors,
has significantly enhanced the capabilities and adaptability of airpower. In a
world marked by dynamic and complex strategic competitions, the synergy between
reconnaissance continuity and technological advancement ensures that airpower
remains indispensable in securing national interests and addressing emerging
challenges.
NOTES
I want to thank our Airpower Strategy and Operations Instructor, Lieutenant Colonel Kelsi Baker, and all the students of Flight 17 for their thoughtful comments and suggestions. All errors found therein are my own.
[1] Clodfelter, Mark. The Limits of Air Power: The American Bombing of North Vietnam (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2006), 1.
[2] Douhet, Giulio. The Command of the Air (Air University Press, 2019), 191.
[3] Boyne, Walter J. “The St. Mihiel Salient.” (Air and Space Force Magazine, February 1, 2000), 3.
[4] Douhet, The
Command of the Air, 109.
[5] Olsen, John A. A History of Air Warfare (Lincoln: Potomac Books, 2010), 3.
[6] Heuser, Beatrice. The Evolution of Strategy: Thinking War from Antiquity to
the Present (Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press, 2010), 357.
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