Journal History

Journal History

Since the publication of the first National Defense Policy in 1996 and the creation of the Ministry of Defense in 1999, scientific and technological development has gained increasing importance. This is reflected in strategic guidelines and directives aimed at strengthening national defense capabilities and enhancing Brazil's strategic autonomy. In this context, the training and development of human resources is established as paramount to the success of initiatives supporting Science, Technology, and Innovation (ST&I).

Addressing the constant need for high-level human resource training, an academic cooperation was established in 1998 between the former General Air Command (COMGAR)—now the Preparation Command (COMPREP)—and the Aeronautical Institute of Technology (ITA). This partnership led to the creation of the Specialization Course in Electromagnetic Environment Analysis (CEAAE) and, in 2001, the Graduate Program in Operational Applications (PPGAO). These were innovative graduate education initiatives focused on Defense, leveraging the cross-disciplinary academic excellence of ITA. The goal is to train military personnel to perform analysis, synthesis, evaluation, research, and development of concepts, procedures, and technologies, meeting the operational needs of the Brazilian Air Force Command (COMAER) by generating and mastering knowledge at the operational and tactical levels.

To disseminate the scientific and technological output in this area, the Spectrum magazine was elevated to the category of a scientific journal, while maintaining its operational character and focus. In 2023, management of the journal was transferred to the Aeronautical Institute of Technology (ITA), which outlined short, medium, and long-term management strategies and goals to shape the journal in compliance with both scientific and operational requirements. Key changes included broadening its scope (Operational Applications in Defense Areas) and adopting an electronic format for global dissemination.

The challenge of scientific consolidation is continuous and complex. The ITA editorial team, in partnership with the PPGAO and with support from the academic and operational communities, is committed to the continuous improvement of Spectrum and its growing integration into the national and international scientific community.