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The Kestrel Papers Series is a compilation of essays written by a number of young military professionals who have endeavoured to study air and spac

Access to foreign bases has long been a critical enabler of the ADF, and ongoing access will be key to Australia’s future security. In the past, these Forward Operating Bases (FOB) were considered relatively secure, however continual improvements to the range and accuracy of missiles acquired by adversarial militaries have made these bases attractive targets, being the seemingly soft underbelly of western militaries.

In order to continue utilisation of FOBs, and to guarantee the safety of deployed forces, the ADF cannot remain idle to the threat of advanced air and missile attacks. As such Australia must look to develop its Air and Missile Defence (AMD) capabilities in order to remain secure in future operations.

The aim of the essay is to discuss a range of AMD design and operating concepts to inform the development of an ADF Integrated AMD (IAMD) capability.

This essay will be structured into four key areas: western nations’ historical and future reliance on FOBs to project power; the emerging threat of powerful state and non-state actors; Australia’s response to emerging air and missile threats; and, IAMD design and operational concepts in an Australian context.

Tactical Air Intelligence will face a crisis of relevance in conflicts of the future.

Unmanned air mobility is a new concept for the Australian Defence Force. The rapid development of enhanced opportunities for air mobility in the joint force will be critical for supporting Australia's National Interests.

The capabilities of existing and proposed future satellite sensors are examined for their ability to provide wide area surveillance of Australia, and recommendations are made regarding future potentials of space-based surveillance.