Which term covers the detection and destruction of enemy aircraft and airborne threats?

• A. Expeditionary Warfare (EXW)
• B. Air Warfare (AW)
• C. Information Operations (IO)
• D. Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD)

Answer: (B)

Detecting and destroying enemy aircraft and airborne threats falls under Air Warfare. This area covers establishing control of the air through counterair operations, which include the detection and tracking of hostile aircraft, warning, and then engaging them with fighters, interceptors, and other air-defense systems. It ties together sensors, command-and-control, and weapons to deny the enemy airpower and protect friendly forces from air attack. The other options don’t focus on aircraft specifically: Expeditionary Warfare is about rapid deployment and projecting power; Information Operations centers on shaping the information environment and cyber/electronic warfare; Ballistic Missile Defense targets ballistic missiles rather than aircraft. So Air Warfare is the concept that directly encompasses both detection and destruction of airborne threats.