Dissertation

Aerial Strategies and their Effect on Conflict Characteristics

Defended April 6, 2012 at Rice University in Houston, TX

This project asks the question of how different aerial strategies can affect the characteristics of aerial campaigns in conflict. It begins be developing a new categorization of aerial strategies that distinguishes aerial strategies by how targeted they are. Data is collected on the type of strategies that were used in aerial campaigns from 1914 to 2003. A preliminary analysis of aerial strategy choice is conducted, studying the effect of military doctrines on strategy choice. The project also takes into consideration the role that ground forces, both those of the state carrying out the aerial attack and of its opponent, will play in determining the effect of aerial strategies on campaign duration and outcome.

Just for fun, here's a link to my dad's dissertation, presented at Rice 34 years before mine (we were both the same age when we defended).