Air Power and Emerging Technologies

Editors: Air Vice Marshal Anil Golani (Retd) | Group Captain Vijay Shankar Rana

Emerging technologies will irrevocably transform the battlefield of the future. This book aims to provide an overview of futuristic and emerging technologies in the aerospace domain.

Future conflicts will almost certainly entail multi domain operations with air power being an inalienable part of it. With the development of modern aircraft and weapon systems revolutionary changes have taken place, which would have a significant impact on war waging capabilities in the aerospace domain. Artificial intelligence, coupled with compatible hardware, networked sensors and modern made weapon systems have increased the lethality and accuracy of aerial attacks. While technology has facilitated networked sensors in enabling real time decision making, they remain susceptible to cross domain cyber attacks. The impact of technology would require innovative operational concepts to fight future wars. The air warriors of today would need to be educated, trained and equipped to retain the cutting edge in the employment of air power as an important tool of statecraft.

This book makes an effort to look at the existing technologies in the aerospace domain and crystal gaze into the future. The effect of space technologies, electronic warfare, modern weapon systems including hypersonic missiles, employment of manned and unmanned systems in autonomous and Manned Unmanned Teaming mode would define the future of aerial warfare in general and give a sense as to how the IAF should be looking at certain key aspects of air power that would be relevant for us in the future.

Editors: Air Vice Marshal Anil Golani (Retd) | Group Captain Vijay Shankar Rana

Air Vice Marshal Anil Golani (Retd) was commissioned in the Flying Branch of the IAF in Dec 1982 and superannuated in Nov 2019, with varied experience having served across the country and abroad. One of the few to have served in senior ranks in both the Joint Services Commands of the country, Andaman & Nicobar Command and Strategic Forces Command. Presently working as Additional Director General CAPS since May 21. Likes to play golf, read and write on issues concerning air power, security and strategy and national interest.

Group Captain Vijay Shankar Rana, Senior Fellow, Centre for Air Power Studies. Group Captain Rana was commissioned in the fighter stream of Indian Air Force on 13 June 1992. He is an alumnus of Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment and College of Air Warfare. In recognition of his meritorious service the Officer has been awarded Commendation by the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief. He is also a recipient of Mention-in-Dispatches.

Contents

Introduction

1. Air Power
Anil Golani
2. Future Aircraft Technologies
Anil Chopra
3. The Disruptive Phenomenon: Military Concepts and Technologies for the SpaceDomain
TH Anand Rao
4. Impact of Electronic Warfare
Daljit Singh
5. Future of Aerial Warfare: Some Key Aspects
RK Sharma and VS Rana
6. Emerging Armament Technologies
SC Mukul, Bhanoji Rao, Abhishek Saxena and VS Rana
7. Future of Uninhabited Aerial Systems and India’s Challenges
RK Narang
8. Emerging Technologies and Air Defence
Anil Khosla
9. Training the Iaf’s Air Warriors
TD Joseph
10. India’s Self-Reliance in Aerospace Design and Development
RK Narang
Editors and Contributors
Index