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The concept of mass has been well-known in the history of warfare since early times. Numbers of belligerents and weapons have often been decisive in achieving a victory or a desired outcome. The technological development of weapons has shifted the discussion of this principle of war towards force multiplication using cutting-edge technologies versus the simple numeric superiority of one’s adversary or enemy. Each domain of warfare and consequent military capability is affected by this dichotomy of mass approach to structuring one’s armed forces and the procurement of distinctive weapons. However, this principle and the shift towards cutting-edge technologies as force multiplication and effects accumulation had an even greater prominence in the case of air power and air warfare thanks to the inherent attributes of air power (i.e., speed, reach, flexibility and versatility). This article discusses the principle of mass and cutting edge technology in the air war over Ukraine. Accordingly, the article examines what deficiencies in mass and numerical superiority were evident in the air war and why. Furthermore, this article discusses how the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) undermined Russian numeric superiority in the air and it will describe which preliminary points can be singled out for further discussion of mass and cutting-edge technologies for modern and future air warfare.

This study develops a four-factor framework (4F model) based on fear, suffering, values, and characteristics for analyzing depictions of physical-risk martial heroism. Specifically, this framework is applied to assess representations of two World War II flying aces, the Royal Air Force pilot Douglas Bader and his German contemporary from the Luftwaffe, Erich Hartmann. On investigation, it is revealed that Bader and Hartmann are either described as fearless or capable of continuing their heroic journey despite their fears. Moreover, the literature contends that both these pilots experienced immense suffering but eventually overcame them. Regarding values, Bader is portrayed as a conservative patriot, whereas Hartmann is said to be a romantic and chivalrous hero. In terms of their characteristics, the depictions of Bader highlight both his positive and negative traits, whereas the darker sides of the hero are virtually absent in the rosy representations of Hartmann.