ABSTRACT
This part introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters. The part discusses the role of naval aviation and the carrier. It examines modernization of the air wings and a number of conceptual issues concerning the next generation of aircraft. The part describes how the expected Soviet threat has reawakened interest in the use of land-based aircraft to supplement naval forces in these and other key missions. It deals with the discussion of the naval air force by talking about three missions of land-based air power in maritime warfare—attacks against surface ships, re-connaissance and early warning, and offensive mining. The part provides several major issues that have been debated for a long time. If there has been agreement on anything among the parties involved in these debates, it is that the issues are very difficult.
