Unsinkable Aircraft Carrier - An American Response to the Chinese Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) Challenge

摘要

After the demise of the Soviet Union, the United States ability to project military power in defense of the nation's interests have in essence gone unchallenged. However, with the emergence of regional powers in areas of vital interest to the USA this hegemonic position in power-projection capabilities seems to be coming to an end. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) is building up military capabilities and is developing anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) capabilities. If the current buildup continues and goes unchallenged, the cost of projecting power into the East China Sea might reach prohibitive levels, to the concern of US military leaders. Are the American bases in Japan and at Guam then the closest US forces can get to the area of operations (AO) in a conflict over Taiwan. This essay explores the option of using Taiwan as a land based focal point in Air Sea Battle in a military engagement with China. The essay explains the development of modern Chinese military doctrine, with the focus on the active defense of the PLA Air Force (PLAAF), and the A2/AD capabilities through the concept of shashoujian, or assassin s mace. It goes on to discuss the emerging concept of Air Sea Battle, developed by the US Air Force and the US Navy in the face of the increasing challenge of getting access to the operational area. The capabilities of the PLA pose such a significant threat to the Taiwanese forces on the island and the US forces that are set up to assist the island in the event of attack, that the author suggests the use of Taiwan itself as a focal point in an Air Sea Battle over the island. By forward positioning new technology, air superiority fighters, and modern naval assets the United States will turn the A2/AD around on its head, making US capabilities on Taiwan challenge the PLA s A2/AD measures before hostilities begin.