Kierunki rozwoju technicznych środków dowodzenia siłami powietrznymi

The basis of Air Forces commanding is to have reliable, prompt and current information concerning both the enemy (their potential and real capabilities) as well as conditions to conduct operations and own forces’ potential. Modern systems of command allow fast acquisition and collection of information and its analysis and transformation. They support commanders in the decision making process. Moreover, they enable transferring tasks to their executors. The growing engagement of the alliance’s armed forces and other organisations in crisis response operations enforces the increase of interoperability in the area of armed forces' command, the air forces including. Serious challenges for the air forces commanding result from the centric network fighting concept. It assumes the operational capabilities growth of forces smaller in number resulting from information advantage and common situational awareness of all participants of the operations. Using forces in centric network battlefield will require effective process of command. It will be conditioned by the access to technologically advanced means. These means are technical devices and equipment that are to ensure an efficient and permanent flow of information necessary to command subordinate forces. They supply the system of command with information acquired, transformed, sent, collected and presented. In the literature of the subject, these means are divided into 5 basic groups: reconnaissance, communication, information transformation, information imagery, personnel and transport assignment assets. The aim of the article is to present the development directions of technical means of commanding in the Air Forces. Technical and operational aspects of their development have been analysed. The article is divided into parts reflecting the division of technical means of commanding into reconnaissance, communication, information transformation and imagery and means of relocation the personnel and transport.