Unmanned Combat Air Systems in Future Warfare

Control of the air is the foundation for all conventional military operations against an adversary with an air defence capability. In future warfare, will it be possible for Unmanned Combat Air Systems to undertake the tasks and accept most of the risks that, until now, have been the lot of military aviators?

''This book is an excellent and original contribution to the literature. The material is cutting-edge and innovative in the unmanned/remotely piloted literature, taking us out of what has become quite a stale debate on what has come to be called 'drone wars'. It is also original because it addresses the interoperability of different aspects of these systems, making the whole greater than the sum of its parts a point which applies as much to the book as its subject matter. The work is of a rigorous academic standard and well written, making the subject matter accessible despite the degree of specialisation. This is going to remain the standard work on unmanned/remotely piloted combat systems for some time to come and is essential reading for anyone wishing to follow the debate on the strategy of these systems over the coming years.'' - Dr Chris Wyatt, University of Birmingham, UK

Colin Wills left New Zealand in 1977 to join the Royal Air Force, serving until May 2014. He was a Qualified Weapons Instructor (Air Defence), with some thirty years' experience as a navigator on F-4 Phantoms and Tornado F-3s. With a passion for international relations and military aviation, he has a PhD in War Studies, from King's College, London. He was appointed MBE in 2004, and in 2008 was awarded Master Air Navigator status by the Guild of Air Pilots and Navigators. Wills is now an Independent Air Power Adviser, specialising in Counter-Air and Unmanned Aircraft Systems tactics and doctrine.