air power
Air power will dominate future wars, says expert
MUMBAI, Nov 21/2003:
The combination of modern warplanes, sensor technology and guided weapons will change the concept of air warfare in future and dependence on army and navy will gradually decline, according to a leading aerospace expert.
"Technologically backward nations stand no chance against them (modern systems). Even guerilla warfare, aided by terrain, is difficult to succeed much against such a (high-tech) opponent. This in particular has made the United States of America a dominant power K V Gopalakrishnan, a retired professor of Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai, told UNI here.
Dr Gopalakrishnan, author of several popular science books, said the two other wings, the army and the navy (except for aircraft carriers) will continue to decline in importance in the foreseeable future.
He said in the Iraq and Afghan wars precision bombing again achieved desired results. In the 2001 Afghan war, he said, the Americans used a variety of bombs guided to their targets by special forces spotters using laser guidance systems.
About the war in former Yugoslavia, Dr Gopalakrishnan said in order to subdue the Serbians, NATO air forces resorted to "pin point bombing" of strategic targets.
During the 1991 Gulf war, the expert said, the open desert terrain greatly facilitated the use of air power by the Americans against the Iraqi army.
"Fixed targets like large buildings and air fields stood little chance of survival. Cruise missiles launched from ships or land or guided bombs from aircraft easily destroyed them."
against moving targets or camouflaged targets spotters on the ground (like special forces) could pinpoint them for aerial attacks. With aids like global positioning system (gps) any spot on earth can be fixed with an error of few metres, he said.
Dr Gopalakrishnan said the impact and importance of the guidance system has increased manifold over the years. Spectacular progress has been made in the field of electronics after the World War II.
Hence ‘blind bombing’, that is dropping plain bombs over targets, is gradually being given up. Bombs and rockets can be fitted with optical, radar or infra-red equipment to guide them to the targets, the expert said.
He pointed out long-range missiles (ICBM, IRBM etc) could be launched from land or sea to reach any target on earth. Long-range rockets, carrying nuclear weapons, made potential destruction so great and sure that it ruled out major wars between great powers (US and ex-USSR). Consequently, since the World War II, there have been only ‘limited wars’, he said.
In the beginning of the World War I (August 1914-November 1918), aeroplanes were used mainly for reconnaissance, but subsequently, they were used for artillery fire.
In the next stage, fighter planes fought duels in the sky. However, the potential of the aircraft to directly attack the enemy forces and population behind the front line was not realised.
Gradually, machine guns were mounted on aircraft as armament. Various type of aircraft like fighters, bombers and sea planes were evolved during the course of the war. The aircraft carrier also appeared in elementary form. On the whole, air power did not make a decisive contribution in the war, since it was still an evolving arm.
Dr Gopalakrishnan pointed out that due to the influence of the rapidly developing aviation sector during the inter war years (1918-1939), military aircraft also increased in size, speed, range and reliability.
During this period, the air force came to be recognised as an independent third service in the major nations. Anti-aircraft defences, too, were developed in the form of effective anti-aircraft guns and radars.
During the World War II (September 1939-August 1945), air power played a more important role and even air-borne landings took place as part of the warfare like normandy. Aircraft were also used to maintain supplies.
Strong air support proved a great asset to the armies. The navies suffered with the introduction of air power than armies as several battleships were sunk because of the aerial attacks.
The jet engines and helicopters also changed the scenario. Peak aircraft speeds suddenly went up from 600 KMPH to 900 KMPH and later upto mach 2 (twice the speed of sound).
Post-war, all air forces switched over to jet engines. The entry of helicopters facilitated quick movement of troops and supplies into inhospitable terrain like forests.
Dr Gopalakrishnan feels the future is likely to produce even more spectacular developments. A variety of sensors, backed by overhead satellites, could make it impossible for an opponent to assemble forces and launch an attack in land, air or at sea in secrecy.
"Any nation which values its Independence, should keep abreast of progress in science and technology. It is worth remembering that Sweden, with less than 10 million population, designs and produces its own warplanes, tanks and artillery," he pointed out. (UNI)
MUMBAI, Nov 21/2003:
The combination of modern warplanes, sensor technology and guided weapons will change the concept of air warfare in future and dependence on army and navy will gradually decline, according to a leading aerospace expert.
"Technologically backward nations stand no chance against them (modern systems). Even guerilla warfare, aided by terrain, is difficult to succeed much against such a (high-tech) opponent. This in particular has made the United States of America a dominant power K V Gopalakrishnan, a retired professor of Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai, told UNI here.
Dr Gopalakrishnan, author of several popular science books, said the two other wings, the army and the navy (except for aircraft carriers) will continue to decline in importance in the foreseeable future.
He said in the Iraq and Afghan wars precision bombing again achieved desired results. In the 2001 Afghan war, he said, the Americans used a variety of bombs guided to their targets by special forces spotters using laser guidance systems.
About the war in former Yugoslavia, Dr Gopalakrishnan said in order to subdue the Serbians, NATO air forces resorted to "pin point bombing" of strategic targets.
During the 1991 Gulf war, the expert said, the open desert terrain greatly facilitated the use of air power by the Americans against the Iraqi army.
"Fixed targets like large buildings and air fields stood little chance of survival. Cruise missiles launched from ships or land or guided bombs from aircraft easily destroyed them."
against moving targets or camouflaged targets spotters on the ground (like special forces) could pinpoint them for aerial attacks. With aids like global positioning system (gps) any spot on earth can be fixed with an error of few metres, he said.
Dr Gopalakrishnan said the impact and importance of the guidance system has increased manifold over the years. Spectacular progress has been made in the field of electronics after the World War II.
Hence ‘blind bombing’, that is dropping plain bombs over targets, is gradually being given up. Bombs and rockets can be fitted with optical, radar or infra-red equipment to guide them to the targets, the expert said.
He pointed out long-range missiles (ICBM, IRBM etc) could be launched from land or sea to reach any target on earth. Long-range rockets, carrying nuclear weapons, made potential destruction so great and sure that it ruled out major wars between great powers (US and ex-USSR). Consequently, since the World War II, there have been only ‘limited wars’, he said.
In the beginning of the World War I (August 1914-November 1918), aeroplanes were used mainly for reconnaissance, but subsequently, they were used for artillery fire.
In the next stage, fighter planes fought duels in the sky. However, the potential of the aircraft to directly attack the enemy forces and population behind the front line was not realised.
Gradually, machine guns were mounted on aircraft as armament. Various type of aircraft like fighters, bombers and sea planes were evolved during the course of the war. The aircraft carrier also appeared in elementary form. On the whole, air power did not make a decisive contribution in the war, since it was still an evolving arm.
Dr Gopalakrishnan pointed out that due to the influence of the rapidly developing aviation sector during the inter war years (1918-1939), military aircraft also increased in size, speed, range and reliability.
During this period, the air force came to be recognised as an independent third service in the major nations. Anti-aircraft defences, too, were developed in the form of effective anti-aircraft guns and radars.
During the World War II (September 1939-August 1945), air power played a more important role and even air-borne landings took place as part of the warfare like normandy. Aircraft were also used to maintain supplies.
Strong air support proved a great asset to the armies. The navies suffered with the introduction of air power than armies as several battleships were sunk because of the aerial attacks.
The jet engines and helicopters also changed the scenario. Peak aircraft speeds suddenly went up from 600 KMPH to 900 KMPH and later upto mach 2 (twice the speed of sound).
Post-war, all air forces switched over to jet engines. The entry of helicopters facilitated quick movement of troops and supplies into inhospitable terrain like forests.
Dr Gopalakrishnan feels the future is likely to produce even more spectacular developments. A variety of sensors, backed by overhead satellites, could make it impossible for an opponent to assemble forces and launch an attack in land, air or at sea in secrecy.
"Any nation which values its Independence, should keep abreast of progress in science and technology. It is worth remembering that Sweden, with less than 10 million population, designs and produces its own warplanes, tanks and artillery," he pointed out. (UNI)
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