Air University (AU) > AUPress

Aug. 17, 2023
Beyond the Pale: Designing Military Decision-Making Anew

Beyond the Pale: Designing Military Decision-Making Anew gives contemporary military strategists tools based on revolutionary approaches to adapt to and succeed in complex environments where traditional institutionalized approaches are insufficient. A single, entirely consuming war paradigm governs
Sept. 29, 2020
Behind the Light Switch: Toward a Theory of Air Mobility

This study offers a theory of air mobility intended to assist practitioners and policy makers in analyzing the efficacy of air mobility operations. It begins by presenting a model of air mobility utility that incorporates the key airpower and logistical principles of velocity, capacity,
Nov. 15, 2019
Bridging the Gap: How an Airborne Mobile-Mesh Network Can Overcome Space Vulnerabilities in Tomorrow’s Fight

The US Air Force’s heavy reliance on space capabilities makes it vulnerable to potentially crippling asymmetric multi-domain attacks in the near future. While Air Force leaders have identified the importance of maintaining dominance in the space domain, their goal of attaining resilient and
April 1, 2019
Bolts from Orion: Destroying Mobile Surface-to-Air Missile Systems with Lethal Autonomous Aircraft

Modern mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM) capabilities are far more lethal and sophisticated than the Iraqi integrated air defense system the US demolished in 2003, and are being used by potential adversaries as one component of anti-access/area denial (A2/D) strategy. This research explored the
Jan. 2, 2018
Brothers in Berets: The Evolution of Air Force Special Tactics 1953-2003

Relying largely on oral history interviews, this work explores the evolution and contributions of the Battlefield Airmen assigned to Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) special tactics units over 50 years. “Their story deserves telling within the US Air Force and to the general
Dec. 1, 2017
Brown Bag Lessons: The Magic of Bullet Writing

This author unlocks the “magic” of effective bullet writing through proven techniques. Following them guarantees immediate improvement for anyone who has struggled with formulating statements for recognition packages and appraisals. The author emphasizes that the
Sept. 1, 2015
Basing Strategies for Air Refueling Forces in Antiaccess/Area-Denial Environments

Modern antiaccess/area-denial (A2/AD) systems threaten forward-based air refueling units. To mitigate those threats, various basing options are explored: hardening of aircraft shelters and support facilities, disaggregation of refueling units among prepared bases, and agile disaggregation among more
March 1, 2015
Blunting the Spear [ONLINE ONLY]

Analysis of Air Force rated officer retention data, interviews with squadron commanders, and surveys of pilots from the fighter, bomber, and remotely piloted aircraft communities highlight the need for more focused retention methods. The surveyed communities reported different contextual definitions
Jan. 1, 2014
Blue Horizons IV [ONLINE ONLY]

This study examines the implications of exponential technological change on the panoply of threats the US Air Force may have to face in the future and how the Air Force should posture itself to best deter those threats. Of principal concern by the year 2035 are threats in six separate areas: nuclear
Nov. 1, 2012
Bomber

Noted historian and retired USAF Col Phillip Meilinger’s Bomber traces the development of Strategic Air Command in parallel with a fledgling independent Air Force amid the drama of the Cold War. This well-documented history captures not only lessons learned in strategy, leadership, and