Tomorrow's Air Force: Tracing the Past, Shaping the Future

by Jeffrey J. Smith

Looking ahead to future airpower requirements, this engaging and ground-breaking book on the history and future of American combat airpower argues that the USAF must adapt to the changes that confront it or risk decline into irrelevance. To provide decision makers with the necessary analytical tools, Jeffrey J. Smith uses organizational modeling to help explain historical change in the USAF and to anticipate change in the future. While the analysis and conclusions it offers may prove controversial, the book aims to help planners make better procurement decisions, institute appropriate long-term policy, and better organize, train, and equip the USAF for the future.

272 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Raj Agrawal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr Smith presents a very easy-to-digest review of the evolution of US Airpower and its ability to adapt to current and future challenges. The question of how Airpower will adapt to the future is at the core of this critical work, and Smith supports his argument with historical, qualitative, and quantitative methodology. Very insightful book that likely has already spoken into the USAF's strategy toward multi-domain Airpower.

The only weakness in this book is the gravitation toward Airpower bias in the final chapter. There remains an assumption that Airpower will always be led by airmen (in the traditional sense); regardless of the future fight. The term Airpower, in its assumption of both space and cyber capabilities, may very well be the reason we may overlook major vulnerabilities in our defense (and offense) in on-going and future conflict.

Every policy maker, joint policy planner, and US Airman should read this book. It brings many Airpower theories together in a way that builds a clear argument that is logical and applicable at every level of national security.

[Gary Willprecht · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book provides a history of the USAF. As the story progresses, the author is able to point out changes which occurred within the Air Force and how they related to tactics and missions. He completes the book by using the same analytical models of the past, with current observations of our present day Air Force to project what the Air Force may look like in the future.