Colonel John A. Warden has been acknowledged for starting a “renaissance” in modern airpower theory. However, some criticism has risen stating that the breakthrough of Wardens theory during the Gulf war is misguided since the theory had optimal conditions for success. Further criticism states that the theory depends on these optimal conditions to be valid. This thesis examines whether that might be the case.
The purpose of the thesis is to test Wardens theory of centers of gravity and air superiority. This is made through a case study regarding the Falkland war in which it is examined whether the theory can explain the outcome of the war or not.
Results show that centers of gravity can do so without any major flaws. Air superiority however can explain the outcome as well but some theoretical flaws are detected. British victory without achieving total air superiority and British inability to concentrate mass in defenses are some of them.
The study strengthens the theory’s overall explanatory power but bring some important flaws to light regarding the concept of air superiority.
Uppsatsen skriven VT 2017 under Termin 4 Officersprogrammet 15-18 med inriktning mot flyg. Examen genomförs VT 2018.