Syftet med denna uppsats är att pröva självständigheten och originaliteten i John Wardensteorier om ”The Enemy as a System” gentemot ”Industrial Web Theory” som utveckladesoch presenterades vid Air Corps Tactical School, ACTS, i USA under 1930-talet.Uppsatsen konkretiserar de valda teoribildningarna, jämför dess olika innebörder och därefterbelyser eventuella skillnader respektive likheter, i syfte att belägga eller motsägaWardens originalitet.
This essay discusses the similarities between USAF Colonel (ret.) JohnWarden’s airpower theories produced in the late 1980, and those of the USArmy Air Corps Tactical School (ACTS) formed during 1926 – 1935.Their relatively obvious resemblance would suggest that Warden in fact wasinfluenced by ACTS when he was producing his theories to such an extent,that his novelty would come in question.An analysis of the contents of the two theories is conducted in order to compareand evaluate the actual resemblance, following a discussion that clarifiesif one could assume that Warden is a copy cat or not. He is thoughfound to be so to a lesser and natural extent. On the other hand he contributesat such a degree with the work he offers that one has to say that he givesas well as takes.One can say that Warden fertilises the theories already presented some 50years before and, recycling the concept of centres of gravity and the importanceof strategic paralysis. He does though introduce the concept of parallelwarfare and takes the systematisation to the next level.• The most significant conclusions of the analysis wold be the following:• Warden utilises the same conceptual groundwork för his theories as didthe ACTS.• Both ACTS and Warden addresses an industrialised and known enemy,with a favourable structure to attack.• Warden introduces parallel warfare and aims ti incapacitate an enemy at amuch higher rate than did the ACTS• Warden also makes a science out of analysing and assessing an enemiescenters of gravity.As a tool for analysis, this essay has used one presented by USAF ColonelPeter Faber, found after evaluation to have been sufficient for the task.