US Air Force needs to embrace air denial as a core mission

Though the impulse to hold tight to the air superiority paradigm may be strong, the future of air warfare is denial.

By  Col. Maximillian K. Bremer  •  Kelly A. Grieco

Originally published in Defense News.

In both Europe and the Indo-Pacific region, the United States aims to preserve the status quo — to prevent acts of military aggression and territorial conquest in these regions. This calls for a defense strategy and military strategy capable of dissuading aggression and revisionism. Through a strategy of air denial, the United States would not seek to gain air superiority but instead work with allies and partners to implement a smarter defense-in-vertical depth approach, layering the effects of cyber disruptions, electromagnetic jamming, ground-based air defenses, drones and counter-air operations in increasing degrees of strength, from higher to lower altitudes.

Read the article on Defense News.

Recent & Related

Policy Memo
Mathew Burrows • Robert A. Manning
Policy Memo
Chris O. Ògúnmọ́dẹdé

Subscription Options

* indicates required

Research Areas

Pivotal Places

Publications & Project Lists

38 North: News and Analysis on North Korea