Vortex. Studies on air and space power is a journal of the French Air and Space Force, edited by the The French Centre for Strategic Aerospace Studies (CESA). 

Presentation of the journal

Vortex: this both sharp and original title refers to more than just a physical phenomenon.

The term “vortex” commonly alludes to the swirling motion that airplanes leave in their trail, which is very difficult to scientifically conceptualize. We use it here as a metaphor for ever-evolving thought processes and passionate discussions. Once the effervescence has passed, air masses cease their disordered motion allowing stillness to return. Likewise, debates are appeased when they are settled by the honest yet fruitful confrontation of ideas.

This is this journal’s ambition: promoting the urbi and orbi exchanges on the political, strategic and operational aspects of aerospace power, a power that has succeeded in establishing itself, in little over a century, as one of the structuring elements of modern wars and crises.

N°1 - June 2021 : Multi-Domain Operations 

Download the first issue 

Summary : 

• Editorial
• 1/ Foreword
• 2/ The French Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace  
• 3/ The American Origins of the Multi-Domain Concept
• 4/ Russian and Chinese multi-domain approaches 
• 5/ C2 Air multi domain or the Art of Mastering Complexity 
• 6/ Air operations and Space  
• 7/ Evolution of the Strategies of Use of Space for Military Purposes 
• 8/ The space war will not happen
• 9/ Free Discussion of Multi-Domain 
• 10/ RETEX - 44 days over Nagorno-Karabakh 
• 11/ Reflections on the Ethics of Air Warfare
• 12/ The Evolution of Heliborne Operations 
• 13/ The Temptation of Light Combat Aircraft 
• 14/ Interview with Colonel John Andreas Olsen 
• 15/ Review Wartime Paradigms and the Futures of Western Military Power
• 16/ Ethique & Puissance aérienne 
• 17/ Thoughts on War 
• 18/ Les fondamentaux de la puissance aérienne moderne