歴史に残る航空戦、難局、論争、そして科学技術の進展とともに向上していった空軍の能力の進展に触れながら、航空戦の包括的な歴史を描き出します。2度の世界大戦における空軍の役割、航空戦力が決定打となったアフリカ、南米、アジアでの戦闘にも光を当てながら、空軍の役割、空戦が概念的にほかの軍種と異なるのかといった問題を検討します。また、今後も有人戦闘機の空軍が存続するのか、あるいは無人戦闘機が支配することになるのかなども分析します。
 

• Offers a concise history of air warfare, analysing its influence on wars, campaigns and conflicts from the pre-WW1 period to today and beyond
• Considers how military operations from the air impact upon political decisions on the ground
• Discusses the advances in air power technology and capabilities, and the impact this has on warfare
• Part of the Very Short Introduction series - over 10 million copies sold worldwide
• Previously published in hardback as Aerial Warfare: The Battle for the Skies (ISBN: 9780198818137)

   
Aerial warfare has dominated war-making for over 100 years, and despite regular announcements of its demise, it shows no sign of becoming obsolete. In this Very Short Introduction Frank Ledwidge offers a sweeping look at the history of aerial warfare, introducing the major battles, crises, and controversies where air power has taken centre stage, and the changes in technology and air power capabilities over time. Highlighting the role played by air power in the First and Second World Wars, he also sheds light on the lesser-known theatres where the roles of air forces have been clearly decisive in conflicts, in Africa, South America, and Asia.
            
Along the way, Ledwidge asks key questions about the roles air power can deliver, and whether it is conceptually different from other forms of combat. Considering whether bombing has ever been truly effective, he discusses whether wars can be won from the air, and concludes by analysing whether there is a future for manned air power, or if it is inevitable that drones will dominate 21st century war in the air.