Secure the high ground is an old military maxim, partly to give strategic advantage, but also to allow one to observe the enemy. The first uses of balloons (and kites) and of aircraft in military terms were for reconnaissance: strategic to observe movements of armies (or fleets), tactical to direct artillery fire. Even as the aeroplane defined its own offensive and defensive roles in warfare, the requirement for reconnaissance never slackened or diverted, indeed intensified both for its own airborne tactical purposes and for major strategy; how many of us are old enough to remember the aerial photographs of Cuba which provoked the missile crisis of 1962?
Brassey’s Aircraft, Weapons Systems and Technology series provides a range of technical , accurate but accessible texts on specific aspects of military aviation. They manage to be of value to both the expert and the interested lay reader alike. This is a good example of the best of such a series, on a topic likely to be at least of peripheral concern to students in many other fields. It covers its subject comprehensively and clearly. It is arranged logically for that purpose, beginning with the historical background and a chapter on definitions of and requirements for aerial reconnaissance. It then proceeds systematically through chapters on the platforms used (from small unmanned battlefield reconnaissance aircraft through major strategic types to orbiting satellites ‐ the real high ground) and sensors. Intelligence is only as useful as its timeliness and interpretation, so two chapters deal with ground installations and with equipment and imagery analysis. A final chapter looks forward to future systems, requirements and platforms.
Although a narrative text, this has considerable reference value since each chapter is closely sub‐divided with topic headings so that specific information is easy to find, and to relate to other important data. The texts themselves are concise and accurate, with necessary technical terms and expressions (including some equations and mathematical expressions) supported by clear diagrams. But it is easy to follow and understand with little or no other technical background. A useful two‐page bibliography and a comprehensive index enhance the reference value of the text. The series is specifically aimed at the international officer cadet or junior officer, but it is of potentially wider interest and value to others whether interested in or concerned with military affairs. The author has a long and deep involvement with his subject and this shows in the authority of his text; it will prove of value to many specialist or more general technical military collections.
