What is the integration of air and space

The air attack will be spatialized

Modern air attack cannot be separated from space technology, and space has become an important "base" for reconnaissance, early warning, communication, navigation, command and control. Therefore, during the forty years since the Soviet Union successfully launched the world's first artificial satellite on October 4, 1957, all countries in the world have devoted themselves to the development of space military technology. At present, more than 3,3 of the more than 4,3 spacecraft launched by countries all over the world are military spacecraft, and space early warning systems, space information transmission systems, space weapon systems, space navigation systems and even sky defense systems have been established. Under the guidance of the strategic idea that "whoever can control outer space will dominate the earth", superpowers and military powers have made great efforts to expand the military utilization of outer space, at the same time, they have clearly extended the space concept of air offensive operations beyond the atmosphere, and correspondingly expanded the functions of the air force.

Therefore, in the future, the air offensive forces will surely move towards the integration of aviation and space. The integration of air and space has become a trend of the air offensive operations of the world air force, which is the vertical expansion and extension of the air force's capabilities caused by the rapid development of aerospace technology and various related technologies. It will make there is no absolute dividing line and insurmountable barrier between aviation space and aerospace space.

the U.S. air force has formally proposed that it should develop from an air offensive combat force dominated by aviation forces to an air offensive combat force closely combined with aviation and aerospace forces. This is closely related to the development of information struggle. Relevant persons pointed out that information struggle is becoming more and more important in high-tech war, and the development of information technology makes space resources more and more important. In the future, the acquisition of operational intelligence, operational communication, flight navigation and weapon guidance will rely more and more on space. In order to ensure the information superiority, it is necessary to compete for space, from competing for air superiority to competing for "controlling the sky".

In fact, both space weapons and aviation weapons involve the above two spaces. Space weapons generally pass through two spaces when launching and attacking the ground. Similarly, aircraft with anti-missile missiles and laser weapons can intercept ballistic missiles and low-orbit spacecraft, and some air defense missiles can carry out anti-missile operations or cross two spaces. As for the developing aerospace vehicle, it is an amphibious vehicle. Moreover, in the modern high-tech war, the operational use of aviation weapons such as military aircraft must also be supported by space-based information platforms. Therefore, the integration of air and space is an inevitable development trend of air offensive operations.