Air Force targeting reform: addressing the need for change
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Authors
Waddle, Michael N.
Subjects
Targeting
Air Force targeting
Targeteer
Targeting specialist
Air Force targeting
Targeteer
Targeting specialist
Advisors
Simons, Anna
Date of Issue
2003-12
Date
December 2003
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
One prevailing trend characterizing US operations has been the emphasis on overwhelming military strength and technologies. Heavy reliance on sophisticated weaponry as the JDAM, TLAM, CALCM, and other precision weapons during recent conflicts helps illustrate this present trend. Precision guided munitions in combination with advanced technology led the US Air Force to measure success by counting total numbers of sorties flown and tonnage of ordnance employed versus assessing the effects that were achieved and goals obtained. However, as accurate as these "smart" weapon systems have become, without the benefit of a "smart" targeting process to identify the best means to employ these high tech solutions, their tremendous advantages in war are irrelevant. Targeting is a concept that is bound to and defines the very concept of airpower. Without a concept of targeting, the concept of airpower looses all meaning. Currently, the Air Force lacks overarching vision as to how the targeting process and those that perform this vital military function fit into the larger Air Force architecture. This lack of commitment to targeting negates the enormous advantages of America's sophisticated combat arsenal and if uncorrected, offsets the advantages of the precision and technology that so much faith is placed in.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Defense Analysis (DA)
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
x, 79 p. : ill. (some col.)
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.