Each forward-thinking air force has now to consider potential threat scenarios that are futuristic and require some degree of planning. This volume contains data on 14 nations and their attempts to modernize, mobilize and keep ahead of their adversaries.

This encyclopedia provides a complete guide to the world''s air arms, ranging from the might of the United States Air Force and Russian air force, to the smallest air arms in the developing world.'

The story of such military strategists and daring fliers as Arnold, Spaatz, Doolittle, LeMay, Chennault, Bong, Gabreski, Cochran, and Vincent.

This crucial reference tool provides you with a detailed listing of the aircraft operating in the world's air arms as well as the units that operate them. Country by country, you will find unrivalled intelligence on the air force, naval air arm, army aviation and related aircraft operators, including Air Order of Battle and location bases. You will also find expert assessment of the current inventory, plus future requirements, making Jane's World Air Forces an essential tool for threat assessment and market intelligence. Key contents include: National identity markings; Air Order of Battle including chains of command and bases; Inventories; Future procurement plans; Airbase location ma s A subscription to Jane's World Air Forces online gives you full search capabilities, a minimum of five-years archive and regular monthly updates to ensure that you always have the most current information available. Visit http //jwaf.janes.com to see the latest list of updates, browse the full contents listing and samples of the additional analysis unique to online subscribers. For independent overviews on land and sea forces we recommend Jane's World Armies, Jane's Amphibious and Special Forces an

From its beginnings in 1907 as the Aeronautical Division of U.S. Armys Signal Corps, which consisted of one officer and two enlisted men, the United States Air Force has grown to become the foremost aerial armed force in the world. Although they had to fly French and British planes as the fledgling army aeronautical bureaucracy failed to procure any combat-worthy American aircraft, which arguably did not exist, American aviators performed valiantly in World War I with intrepid pilots of the such as Eddie Rickenbacker and Frank Luke leading the way. Between the wars, all of aviation, commercial and military around the world grew by leaps and bounds as the numbers of aircraft in service and their capabilities tremendously increased. Although the Army Air Corps, as it was known at the time, was no better prepared for World War II than the rest of the army, it had developed a highly professional corps of experienced officers who would be able to take advantage of the latest American aircraft technology such as the B-17 Flying Fortress and the P-51 Mustang. With the end of the war and the creation of an independent armed force in 1947, the United States Air Force leapt into the jet age with such icons as the F-86 Sabre and the remarkable B-52 Stratofortress, which "soldiers" on today more than fifty years after going into service in 1955 and with the youngest of the 744 plane production run being forty years old, having been built in 1962.Air Force covers the entire history of the U.S. Air Force and its development from its beginnings early in the last century to becoming the worlds largest, most powerful, and most versatile air-combat force. Special attention is paid to the air forces recent, post-Vietnam history, and an entire chapter is devoted to Americas air force of the future.

Includes two new chapters! “One of the more interesting and better books on military aviation to appear in the last few years.”—Journal of Military History Since the publication of the first edition of Why Air Forces Fail, the debate over airpower’s role in military operations has only intensified. Here, eminent historians Robin Higham and Stephen J. Harris assemble a team of experts to add essential new details to their cautionary tale for current practitioners of aerial warfare. Together, the contributors examine the complex, often deep-seated, reasons for the catastrophic failures of the Russian, Polish, French, British, Italian, German, Argentine, and American air services. Complemented by reading lists and suggestions for further research, this seminal study with two new chapters provides an essential and detailed analysis of defeat. “Contains many interesting insights and interpretations . . . an excellent introduction to the study of military failure in general and air forces in particular.”—Journal of America’s Military Past “I recommend this book to those who are interested in air forces and air power, whether amateur or professional, past, present and future.”—Richard Cobbold, Bryanston: The Yearbook “Provides an excellent analysis of the root causes of failure; this engaging study goes far beyond the aerial battlefield to examine the circumstances leading to defeat.”—Dennis Drew, Colonel, USAF (Ret.)