ABSTRACT

The Routledge Handbook of Air Power offers a comprehensive overview of the political purposes and military importance of air power.

Despite its increasing significance in international relations, statecraft and war, the phenomenon of air power remains controversial and little understood beyond its tactical and technological prominence. This volume provides a comprehensive survey designed to contribute to a deep and sophisticated understanding of air power. Containing contributions from academics and service personnel, the book comprises five sections:

- Part I Foundation: the essence of air power

- Part II Roles and functions: delivering air power

- Part III Cross-domain integration: applying air power

- Part IV Political–social–economic environment: air power in its strategic context

- Part V Case studies: air power in its national context

Examining a series of themes and factors that contribute to an understanding of the utility and applicability of air power, this Handbook focuses on the essence of air power, identifies its roles and functions, and places air power in its wider strategic and national contexts.

The Routledge Handbook of Air Power will be of great interest to students of air power, strategic studies, defence studies, security studies and IR, as well as to military professionals and policy-makers.

chapter |9 pages

Introduction

The new face of war

part I|70 pages

Foundation

chapter 1|11 pages

Air Power Anatomy

chapter 2|11 pages

Air Power and High Command

chapter 3|11 pages

Air Power Theory

chapter 6|11 pages

Air Power History

part II|72 pages

Roles and functions

chapter 7|12 pages

Control of the Air

chapter 8|12 pages

Air Strike

chapter 10|12 pages

Air Mobility

chapter 11|12 pages

Command and Control

chapter 12|11 pages

Air Power Logistics

part III|73 pages

Cross-domain integration

chapter 13|12 pages

Air–Land Integration

chapter 14|12 pages

Air–Sea Integration

chapter 16|12 pages

Air–Space Integration

chapter 17|12 pages

Air Power and Cyber

part IV|72 pages

Political–social– economic environment

chapter 20|12 pages

Air Power, Media and Popular Culture

chapter 21|10 pages

Deterrence and Coercive Diplomacy

chapter 23|13 pages

Costs of Combat Air Power

chapter 24|12 pages

Air Power and Industry

part V|80 pages

Case studies

chapter 25|12 pages

Chinese Air Power

chapter 26|14 pages

Russian Air Power

chapter 27|12 pages

Indian Air Power

chapter 28|11 pages

Pakistani Air Power

chapter 29|12 pages

Brazilian Air Power

chapter 30|11 pages

Japanese Air Power

chapter |3 pages

Conclusion

The Shape of Things to Come

chapter |3 pages

Afterword