Papers
Flawed Doctrine: The Problem With Centralised Control and Decentralised ExecutionJanuary 2012
Centralised control and decentralised execution is attracting an increasing level of critical attention in the US military, particularly in the light of the experience gained during operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. In Australia, however, the position of centralised control and decentralised execution, as the cornerstone of command and control in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), remains largely unquestioned.
Hot Air: Has China Finally Achieved Total Force Dominance in the Skies over Taiwan?December 2010
The ‘Taiwan Strait Crisis’ initiated by Chinese missile tests in 1995 illustrated the delicate balance and animosity that still remains between Beijing and Taipei vis-a-vis Taiwan’s legal status within the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and its precarious alliance with the United States. Sean Scrivener, a post-graduate student at Macquarie University, provides interesting perspectives in his paper.
Perception, Reality and 21st Century StrategyMarch 2010
Dr Alan Stephens discusses perception and reality as they relate to air power and military strategy. He presented his paper at the RAAF Air Power Conference, The Art of Air Power, held in Canberra, on 29 March 2010
Perception, Reality and 21st Century Strategy(148 KB PDF)
Controlling CyberspaceFebruary 2010
Controlling cyberspace is critical for effective ADF operations. The ADF must be able to operate in and control cyberspace, convey operational advantages to its force elements and prevent surprising events within cyberspace that threaten its forces or that are contrary to national interests.
Controlling Cyberspace (56 KB PDF)
Air Power and the Defence of AustraliaDecember 2009
Australia is, like every other country, girt by air, a more pervasive and flexible medium for pursuing military influence than either sea or land. Any shaping and deterring the ADF pursues during the Asia-Pacific century will be at least as reliant on the air component of its maritime forces as on its navy component, probably more so. Air Power and the Defence of Australia, addresses these aspects, with special reference to the recent Defence White Paper, 'Defending Australia in the Asia Pacific Century : Force 2030'
Air Power and the Defence of Australia (96 KB PDF)
Hizb'allah and Air Force CultureAugust 2009
Alan Stephens presents a point of view on how the RAAF's culture is shaped.
Hizb'allah and Air Force Culture (332 KB PDF)
Implementing the Defence White Paper 2009June 2009
Implementing the Defence White Paper 2009 examines the programs that followed the many papers and reviews and the resulting failures which adversely impacted the war-fighting capability of the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
White Paper 2009 Commentary (290 KB PDF)
Australia's Strategic StingJune 2009
The Defence White Paper 2009 places significant emphasis on maritime capabilities and particularly on development of a large submarine force. Australia's Strategic Sting, a paper published by the Australian Submarine Institute and reproduced here with their approval, examines the case for submarines in the RAN. Written by Peter Briggs.
Australia's Strategic Sting (236 KB PDF)
New Air Combat Capability April 2009
Air combat capability is the ability to engage in air operations against external threats that use the air or sea to enter Australia or threaten Australia’s interests and combines fighter and strike aircraft, together with supporting air components, command and control elements, logistics and technical support essential to provide the air power required.
