Royal Air Force Centre for Air Power Studies

Royal Air Force Centre for Air Power Studies. The Royal Air Force Centre for Air Power Studies is a dedicated research institution established by the Royal Air Force to foster advanced study and understanding of air power theory, doctrine, and its application. Based at the Royal Air Force College Cranwell, it serves as a nexus for academic and professional military discourse, connecting RAF personnel with scholars from institutions like King's College London and the University of Oxford. Its work critically examines historical and contemporary issues, from the Battle of Britain to modern operations over Afghanistan, aiming to inform future force development and strategic thinking.

History and establishment

The centre was formally established in 2007 under the auspices of the Royal Air Force's higher command structure, recognizing a need for a dedicated internal think tank focused on air-minded scholarship. Its creation was influenced by the evolving strategic landscape following operations in the Balkans, Iraq, and Afghanistan, which demanded deeper analysis of air power's role. The choice of Royal Air Force College Cranwell as its home was symbolic, linking the institution to the RAF's historic heart of officer training and the legacy of figures like Lord Trenchard. Since its inception, it has worked closely with established entities like the Joint Services Command and Staff College and the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom to integrate its research into professional military education.

Mission and objectives

The core mission is to promote the study and understanding of air power within the Royal Air Force, across the British Armed Forces, and throughout the wider international defence community. A primary objective is to stimulate intellectual debate and develop critical thinking on air and space power, examining lessons from conflicts like the Gulf War and the Falklands War. It aims to provide a forum where serving personnel, academics from places like the University of Cambridge, and allied partners such as the United States Air Force can collaborate. Furthermore, the centre seeks to directly inform RAF doctrine and capability development by producing evidence-based research for commands like Air Command and Strike Command.

Research and publications

The centre conducts and commissions research on a wide spectrum of themes, including historical analysis of campaigns like the Combined Bomber Offensive, contemporary issues of cyber warfare and UAV operations, and future concepts for spacepower. Its key publication is the peer-reviewed Air Power Review journal, which features contributions from historians, strategists, and serving officers. It also produces occasional papers, hosts research fellows, and organizes the annual RAF Air Power Conference, often in partnership with institutions like the Royal United Services Institute. These publications and events frequently analyse topics ranging from NATO air policing to the strategic theories of John Boyd and Giulio Douhet.

Organisation and leadership

The centre is organizationally situated within the Royal Air Force College Cranwell and falls under the oversight of the RAF's professional head, the Chief of the Air Staff. Day-to-day direction is provided by a Director, typically a senior RAF officer, supported by a small permanent staff and a network of associate fellows. It maintains a close working relationship with the RAF's Air Historical Branch and the Development, Concepts and Doctrine Centre at the Ministry of Defence. Academic oversight and collaboration are strengthened through links with civilian universities and think tanks, including the University of Birmingham and the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

Influence and impact

The centre has significantly influenced professional military education within the Royal Air Force, with its research integrated into courses at the Royal Air Force College Cranwell and the Joint Services Command and Staff College. Its work has contributed to doctrinal debates and conceptual developments, informing discussions on multi-domain integration and the evolution of RAF Group structures. By fostering a culture of critical inquiry, it has helped shape the intellectual preparation of officers for high-level command and staff appointments. The annual conference and publications have also elevated the United Kingdom's voice in global air power discourse, engaging with allies like the Royal Australian Air Force and the German Air Force on shared strategic challenges.

Category:Royal Air Force Category:Military research institutes Category:2007 establishments in the United Kingdom