Air and Space Power

This thesis examined both the rationale and objectives of states in resorting to air power in contemporary, asymmetrical conflicts in the Middle East, focusing on the three cases of aerial operations on Hezbollah in Lebanon, ISIS in Syria, and the Houthi rebels in Yemen. The thesis concluded that states adopt post-heroic military policies that prioritize avoiding casualties among the ranks of their armed forces, which carries a series of negative consequences on achieving the objectives of the war, especially amid limited or no backing by ground and naval troops.

Lançado em maio último (CRAIDE, 2017a), o Satélite Geoestacionário de Defesa e Comunicações Estratégicas (SGDC) foi concebido pelo governo brasileiro para atender a demandas telecomunicacionais relativas a políticas públicas e necessidades estratégicas – na seara da Segurança Pública e, sobretudo, da Defesa Nacional –, bem como comerciais.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed or implied in the Journal are those of the authors and should not be construed as carrying the official sanction of the Department of Defense, Air Force, Air Education and Training Command, Air University, or other agencies or departments of the US government. This article may be reproduced in whole or in part without permission. If it is reproduced, the Air and Space Power Journal requests a courtesy line.

This paper provides an overview and analysis of the role, place and importance of air power for the success of joint military operations in conduct of NATO deterrence activities and operations. Air power has been highly valued in defence, security and in warfare from its very beginning, since the establishment of the first Air Forces. With its modern development it has become crucial for achieving military goals, as well as national ones. The importance of air power is shown through its definition and comparison in the military doctrines of the air forces of certain countries and NATO, where it is obvious how important it is in the structure of national power, security and defence, as well as in collective security and defence of NATO. The emphasis is on the ongoing implementation of NATO military activities and operations and the projection of the Alliance's air power in deterring Russia's potential threats to its members in Northeast Europe, in the Baltic region. The current method of projection of air power and the use of its elements in these NATO military activities are discussed and presented. The special features and capabilities provided by the air power, which do not possess other military components and cannot compensate for these effects, give it a key role in supporting and conducting joint military operations, and in enabling the success of their implementation.

Making sense of cyber warfare requires understanding the cyber domain. The inherent characteristics of the cyber domain make it challenging to determine the implications of cyber warfare on national security policy. Accurately defining the cyber environment is essential. Understanding how the environment functions and behaves as well as understanding the implications of concepts, like convergence (the integration of multiple technologies into a smaller number of platforms and the increasing blending of the virtual and physical worlds), help frame the big picture. The cyber environment shapes the "warfare" part of cyber warfare. Unfortunately, discussions about cyber warfare have been polarized by commentators, some who believe that a "cyber Pearl Harbor" is inevitable and others who believe just the opposite. Reality lies somewhere in the middle. It is important to remember that warfare is an extension of politics and that this axiom applies in the cyber domain. Operational planning must take into account a spectrum of threats. Understanding the implications of complexity and the intentions of actors in the system will be key to developing effective cyber warfare strategies.

This lesson intends to analyze Space, as the current structuring element of Power, where the dominant actors of the international system seek to develop a Military Power, of influence and global affirmation. Using a deductive reasoning and a qualitative research strategy will seek to list forms of coercion that can be employed by States from Space and identify the interest that moves the actual active militarization. It is also intended to present the portuguese case, as there are important steps in space technology that deserve disclosure.

This research aims to identify and assess the type of support that ensures space technology to military operations. We sought to identify the application of this technology and structural connections in supporting military operations.
The research focused mainly the United States and Europe. The first actor to be at the forefront of this technology and its role in recent conflicts. Europe mainly by the action of the European Space Agency and also from the perspective of NATO.
The established route identified the level of integration of space technology, namely satellites, in the current conflicts, which notes that play a important role based on its characteristics enhancer synergies. Were identified on the basis of doctrine, the type of functions in that space technology is used in military operations and testing was documented examples concerning recent conflicts, allowing stress the importance of space technology in current military operations.
Subsequently we identified the strengths and vulnerabilities of employment and enjoyment of space technology for military operations, having been particularized relevance for situational awareness achieved by the enjoyment of space technology, the result of subsequent conjugation and processing of information, combined with valences direct systems integration reveals that synergetic and promotes the effectiveness and efficiency of resources and means.
Finally were evaluated alternatives to space technology in order to identify levels of dependence on this technology as a tool in the service of military operations.
For the achievement of this research work, we developed and structured on the subject using a hypothetical-deductive methodology as proposed by Raymond and Luc Van Quivy Campenhoudt, in its Manual of social science research. Were formulated hypotheses which were tested using the above bibliographic
In addition to conclusions, are presented at the end of this research work some recommendations, which pass by the proposed topics for future research.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed or implied in the Journal are those of the authors and should not be construed as carrying the official sanction of the Department of Defense, Air Force, Air Education and Training Command, Air University, or other agencies or departments of the US government. This article may be reproduced in whole or in part without permission. If it is reproduced, the Air and Space Power Journal requests a courtesy line.