Les Avions de Combat

As the figurehead of a state's power, the combat aircraft is one of the most feared tools in the modern military arsenal. A highly capable weapon system, it is a flexible, responsive and autonomous platform capable of maintaining a high operational tempo in joint and allied operations. It is also an excellent force multiplier, as it enables the exchange of information on a tactical situation within a short period of time.

Since the first Gulf War in 1990/91, the fighter has participated in numerous missions in theatres such as Afghanistan, Libya, Iraq, Syria or the Sahel. After the early 2000s, the biggest revolution in the use of air power was the ability of a single aircraft to engage multiple ground targets simultaneously during a mission. This was made possible by the advent of precision munitions with hybrid guidance, combining inertial, GPS and laser guidance technologies. In this as in other military fields, Asia is experiencing a great increase in power. China, India, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan are focusing on developing their military aerospace industries. They have begun programmes for fifth or sixth generation fighter aircraft. In this anthology, the authors provide a comprehensive overview of today's air power and a glimpse into the future of this valuable component that will undoubtedly play a crucial role in high-intensity conflict.