Building “Space” into Multi-Domain Deterrence Strategy
Editor-in-Chief at Angle of Attack
Space cadet, combat knitter, kitty lover.
Nicole Petrucci
Latest posts by Nicole Petrucci (see all)

There’s no such thing as war in space; there’s just war. General John Hyten, USAF[1] Deterrence, as it applies to the space domain, presents some interesting challenges as more countries recognize the benefits of and from space, but they are far from new. History shows us the way. The United States has been here before […]

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Why Hypersonics? Why Now?
Editor-in-Chief at Angle of Attack
Space cadet, combat knitter, kitty lover.
Nicole Petrucci
Latest posts by Nicole Petrucci (see all)

With the recent push for hypersonics, and the associated “breakthroughs” in their development, one could be forgiven for thinking hypersonics is something new.  It isn’t.  The United States had boost-glide hypersonic aircraft in the mid-60s. The USAF made a conscious decision to NOT field hypersonic aircraft decades ago.  So why bring it back now? What […]

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Space-Mindedness: The Application of Space Power
Contributing Author at Angle of Attack
Ryan Sanford is an active duty officer in the United States Air Force. He is a Fighter Pilot and an Experimental Test Pilot.A graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, and USAF Test Pilot School and a published author in the fields of Mathematics, Aeronautical Engineering, Developmental Flight Test, and Tactical Employment, he recently completed a Master of Philosophy thesis analyzing the need for a USAF astronaut corps to support national objectives in space.He is currently performing duties as an Operations Officer.
Ryan Sanford
Latest posts by Ryan Sanford (see all)

The United States Air Force has struggled lately in resourcing its National Command Authority assigned missions.[1]  While the immediate focus tends toward material and equipment, a potentially more troubling problem facing the Air Force may be the ever-increasing gap caused by poor pilot retention across multiple platform specialties.[2]  Under-resourced and losing talent, the Air Force […]

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Reflections on Operation BURNT FROST
Editor-in-Chief at Angle of Attack
Space cadet, combat knitter, kitty lover.
Nicole Petrucci
Latest posts by Nicole Petrucci (see all)

More than nine years since have passed since Operation BURNT FROST. I hadn’t thought about the event in a long time. While it was the highlight of my newly-minted weapons officer career at Cavalier AFS, ND, after it was over there was little more said about the event. However, the strategic implications from BURNT FROST […]

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Too Many Dollars, Not Enough Sense: Acquisition Case Studies (PART 1)
Content and Production Editor at Angle of Attack
Bomb dropper, High Desert dweller, baller.
Christopher Buckley
Latest posts by Christopher Buckley (see all)

“Seldom in the course of military development have opinions been so conflicting as in the acquisition of this revolutionary aircraft.”[1] This is a quote from Congress. If you have been following big dollar military acquisition programs, particularly the F‑35, this quote should not surprise you. F‑35 has been controversial to say the least. There have […]

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Cheap Space Launch Optional: The Truth about Cheap Rockets for the USAF
Editor-in-Chief at Angle of Attack
Space cadet, combat knitter, kitty lover.
Nicole Petrucci
Latest posts by Nicole Petrucci (see all)

In a recent article at DoD Buzz, Oriana Pawlyk asked: “Why Doesn’t the Air Force Use Cheap, Re-Usable Rockets?”[1] Air Power Strategy even re-tweeted her article because it is a spectacular question, one that requires more analysis. It is debatable whether cheap access to space is a good thing. After considering the history, budget, policy […]

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Old Dog, New Engines: The Truth about a B-52 Re-Engine
Content and Production Editor at Angle of Attack
Bomb dropper, High Desert dweller, baller.
Christopher Buckley
Latest posts by Christopher Buckley (see all)

It seems that the USAF cannot get through a year without being inundated with calls to replace the engines on the B-52. Recent calls from Air Force Global Strike Command,[1] Boeing, General Electric[2] and Pratt & Whitney[3] have renewed the vigor of the program despite the general lack of funding and enthusiasm for large dollar […]

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Redefining Space Policy – A New Strategic Context
Editor-in-Chief at Angle of Attack
Space cadet, combat knitter, kitty lover.
Nicole Petrucci
Latest posts by Nicole Petrucci (see all)

When President Kennedy declared the US intention to send men to the moon, he single-handedly defined the strategic context of space.  Space was no longer a physics problem; it was now a Cold War problem.  Starting in 1958 and explicitly stated in 1961, “space” became synonymous with national prestige, national security, and to some, national […]

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Ad Inexporata: The Strategic Impact of Flight Test
Content and Production Editor at Angle of Attack
Bomb dropper, High Desert dweller, baller.
Christopher Buckley
Latest posts by Christopher Buckley (see all)

Developmental Flight Testing is all about the data. That’s it. Period. Engineers, scientists, and operators conduct tests to get data. Data is the exact opposite of politics, especially today’s politics represented by a comical and debilitating election season. Data is truth. The impact of the data on the world is much larger than the impact on […]

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Is Speed the New Stealth?
Editor-in-Chief at Angle of Attack
Space cadet, combat knitter, kitty lover.
Nicole Petrucci
Latest posts by Nicole Petrucci (see all)

Recently at Angle of Attack, a journal of Air Power Strategy, feature author Chris Buckley identified the underlying assumptions of why the nuclear-armed cruise missile was and remains necessary. While Buckley claims this new cruise missile must be nuclear-armed, there is a pathway to a new cruise missile that will achieve all of the strategic […]

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