By
WGCDR Peter McLennan
CONFLICT is dynamic. The complex interplay between the various
forces involved results in a rapidly changing picture.
Perhaps this is especially so when air power is employed, due
to air power’s characteristics of flexibility, responsiveness,
speed and tempo.
These and other characteristics are described in the RAAF’s
air power doctrine, which is contained in the publication entitled
Fundamentals of Australian Aerospace Power.
Air power doctrine also describes the capabilities and roles that
air power can undertake. Even though it explains how the various
capabilities and roles relate to one another, it is hard to get
an appreciation of dynamic situations from the written word.
Even the pictures and diagrams that are scattered liberally throughout
the doctrine cannot convey the sense of movement and change that
typifies the use of air power.
Perhaps the next edition of the doctrine manual need not be limited
to written words and static pictures presented in “hard copy”.
Modern technology would permit the production and distribution
of versions of the doctrine that could show how things change
over time, rather than merely describing it.
Animated diagrams and perhaps video footage, could be used to
make the concepts come alive. Done well, this would make the doctrine
easier to understand, which would enhance its educational value.
It need not stop there. While moving images would be a useful
step forward, even greater appreciation of the principles of air
power could be conveyed by making the doctrine interactive.
What can happen if you try to conduct a strike mission without
also conducting offensive counter air? What difference does early
warning and control really make? What is the relationship between
defensive counter air and forward operating bases?
Hypothetical questions such as these could be answered graphically,
in accelerated time, before your eyes.
You could turn the various air power roles on or off to see what
happens.
This would be a very powerful way to learn about the complex interactions
that need to be mastered to make the best use of air power, and
would show how every individual associated with the generation
of air power contributes to the big picture.
Making doctrine dynamic and interactive would be simplified by
blending the Air Force’s approaches to air power doctrine
development and experimentation.
CAF has indicated his preference for these activities to move
closer together. This may be achieved by restructuring the RAAF
Aerospace Centre.
The technology required to create dynamic and interactive documents
is now available, through the use of computer-based digital media.
Dynamic versions of the doctrine could be produced that could
be accessed as intranet or internet web pages.
Other options are also possible, including distribution as an
eBook, stand-alone application, or even versions for Personal
Digital Assistants (PDAs). Making the doctrine interactive is
a little more complex, but is still quite possible.
Printed (hard copy) volumes would probably still be needed for
quick reference, or where computing facilities were not available.
These preliminary ideas will be considered when plans for the
fifth edition of the Air Force’s air power doctrine get under
way in 2004. Perhaps we are on the verge of creating the world’s
first interactive dynamic digital doctrine!
- WGCDR
Peter McLennan is Deputy Director of Doctrine and Publications
at the AeC
