Potential Impact of Developments in Electronic Technology on the Future Conduct of Air Warfare. Volume 3

摘要

Today the Warsaw Pact nations enjoy a large quantitative advantage in equipment that is offset by superior technology in our weapons systems. Nevertheless, most agree that continued exploitation of emerging technologies is needed by NATO to maintain a qualitative lead, and that continued progress in microelectronics and information processing offers opportunities for NATO to maintain its technical superiority. The development of electronic technology continues unabated. Advances in microelectronics are resulting in circuit densities many orders of magnitude greater than in current usage, making possible higher speed circuitry and greater storage capacity. At the same time, evolving RG techniques are leading to monolithic microwave integrated circuits and microstrip antennas with corresponding reductions in size and weight. In addition, rapid advances are taking place in computer architecture and software that will provide improved information processing and control. This, coupled with progress in artificial intelligence and man-machine interface, offers promise of greatly improved battle management in the cockpit. The scale of changes is such that the nature of air warfare should be significantly affected over the next twenty years. (NATO furnished)