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Airpower Studies (minor)

Air Force Academy cadet exiting the back of an Osprey

The newest US Air Force mission statement is “To fly, fight, and win…airpower anytime, anywhere,” and official USAF doctrine defines airpower as: “the ability to project military power through control and exploitation in, from and through the air.” Recognizing this fact, the airpower minor focuses on war in the air domain, as well as the role and capabilities of airpower across the competition continuum—from times of peace to times of armed conflict and war. The Airpower Studies Minor is for those cadets who want to go beyond the basic understanding of air warfare and airpower capabilities offered in the core curriculum. It provides cadets exposure to tactical, operational, strategic considerations as well as technological capabilities and limits of the air domain. It adds to the core curriculum’s foundation with greater depth in the specific application of airpower relevant to any Air Force operational specialty. Cadets will interrogate the implications of fighting in the air domain and chart a course sequence that inculcates airmindedness, a habit of mind valuable for any Air Force officer. This minor is compatible with any academic major.

Course requirements

The Airpower Studies Minor requires a minimum of 15 semester hours. The student must complete these five courses (15 semester hours) with a grade of “C” or better. This is an interdisciplinary minor. No more than 2 courses for the minor can be from any one department.

1-2. Two required foundational courses:
History 320 Airpower History
MSS 377 Airpower History
3. Choose one of the following technical options:
Aero Engr 241 Aero-Thermodynamics
Aero Engr 446 Introduction to Hypersonics
Biology 345 Aerospace Physiology
Chem 350 Chemistry of Weapons
Meteor 320 Introduction to Meteorology and Aviation Weather
Physics 370 Upper Atmospheric and Geo-Space Physics
4-5. Choose two of the following depth options (Reminder, cadets may not choose more than a total of two courses from the same discipline):
Aero Engr 241 Aero-Thermodynamics
Aero Engr 351 Aircraft Performance
Aero Engr 446 Introduction to Hypersonics
Beh Sci 375 Aviation Psychology and Human Factors
Biology 345 Aerospace Physiology
Chem 350 Chemistry of Weapons
History 321 STEM at War: History of Technology and Warfare
History 327 The Great War: The History of World War I
History 328 Axis and Allies: The History of World War II
History 329 Korean War and the Cold War
History 330 The Vietnam War
Meteor 320 Introduction to Meteorology and Aviation Weather
MSS 343 Foundations of Joint Air, Space, and Cyber Strategy
MSS 371 Joint Targeting and Strategy
MSS 381 Air Warfare Operations and Planning
Physics 370 Upper Atmospheric and Geo-Space Physics
Pol Sci 462 Politics and Intelligence
Pol Sci 496 Causes of War and Conflict Resolution

With the approval of the minor AIC and the Department Head of an instructor offering a 495 or 499, cadets may substitute a 495 or 499 course offered by any department for this requirement.