Table Of Content0529 Roche Pgs 3/12/02 1:28 PM Page 9
X–35A joint
strike fighter
Lockheed Martin
(Kevin Robertson)
Transforming the
Air Force
By J A M E S G. R O C H E
A
s America continues to prosecute its Every day the Air Force continues to fly,
first war of the 21st century, it is use- launch, orbit, track, communicate, secure, refuel,
ful to recall that the Air Force was transport, and support national interests around
born in wartime and bred for joint and above the globe. And while it is busy meeting
operations. Today, along with the other services, the current needs of unified commands, it is apply-
it is engaged in a determined effort to adapt to a ing new operational concepts and information
new era. The current campaign against global ter- technologies to maintain dominance in air and
rorism is providing critical lessons about the ap- space. From precise, long-range strikes and human-
plication of airpower and spacepower. It is impor- itarian missions in Afghanistan, to persistent sur-
tant to get those lessons right, be agile, and build veillance over Iraq and the Balkans, to contribut-
on the strengths of the past without being tied to ing to homeland security, the service is working to
past glories. identify the demands that will transform future
roles, missions, and strategic priorities.
The Honorable James G. Roche is the 20thSecretary of the Air Force; a Although the service is committed to a trans-
retired naval surface warfare officer, he previously served as President, formational path, challenges remain. Considering
Electronic Sensors and Systems Sector, Northrop Grumman Corporation. the number of aircraft and airmen devoted to
Autumn/Winter 2001–02 / JFQ 9
Report Documentation Page
Report Date Report Type Dates Covered (from... to)
00 00 2002 N/A -
Title and Subtitle Contract Number
Transforming the Air Force
Grant Number
Program Element Number
Author(s) Project Number
Task Number
Work Unit Number
Performing Organization Name(s) and Address(es) Performing Organization Report Number
National Defense University Institute for National
Strategic Studies Washing ton D C 20319-5066
Sponsoring/Monitoring Agency Name(s) and Sponsor/Monitor’s Acronym(s)
Address(es)
Sponsor/Monitor’s Report Number(s)
Distribution/Availability Statement
Approved for public release, distribution unlimited
Supplementary Notes
The original document contains color images.
Abstract
Subject Terms
Report Classification Classification of this page
unclassified unclassified
Classification of Abstract Limitation of Abstract
unclassified UU
Number of Pages
6
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(cid:2)
THE AIR FORCE
Predator UAV.
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homeland security, along with the forces de- Air Force Special Operations Forces personnel, in-
ployed to Southwest Asia in support of Enduring vented new tactics that improved munitions ac-
Freedom, the Air Force is supporting the equiva- curacy and increased the flow of targeting data to
lent of operations in two simultaneous major the- strike aircraft. They demonstrated how U.S. forces
aters of war. At the same are working more closely together than ever be-
the Air Force is accelerating time, maintenance of aging fore, from refueling, to combat search and rescue,
systems and quality of life to joint targeting.
its commitment to expanding
and work initiatives for per- Enduring Freedom is only the most recent
global reconnaissance and sonnel compete with mod- example of Air Force commitment to joint opera-
ernization requirements. tions. The key to that contribution was the con-
strike capabilities
Their cost is compounded tinuous integration of air and space capabilities
by unprecedented require- enhanced by rapid advances in information tech-
ments for air and space forces at a time when nology. Whether dropping rations to starving
legacy systems are nearing the end of their life cy- civilians or precision-guided bombs on Taliban
cles. Still, the future demands that the service tunnels, the service worked with land and naval
meet the President’s mandate to renew and re- forces to achieve planned effects. As Secretary of
build warfighting concepts, organizational con- Defense Donald Rumsfeld declared, “It’s a cooper-
structs, and force structure. ative effort.”
Beyond current operational demands, the Air
Enduring Freedom
Force is accelerating its commitment to expand-
The Air Force has always evolved along with ing global reconnaissance and strike capabilities.
a changing environment and advancing technol- Thus it is placing special emphasis on providing
ogy. American forces with Afghan and coalition intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance
partners have recently routed a well-dug-in (ISR) to joint operations. Additionally, it is pursu-
enemy on one of the world’s least accessible bat- ing the horizontal integration of manned, un-
tlefields. Enduring Freedom combined the best manned, and space platforms to reduce time in
forces, regardless of service, in previously untried the find, fix, track, target, engage, and assess deci-
ways. Navy and Air Force pilots, with Army and sion cycle.
During Enduring Freedom, a variety of strike
platforms aided by air and space reconnaissance
assets, in concert with Special Operations Forces
10 JFQ / Autumn/Winter 2001–02
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Roche
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MH–53 emerging
from C–17,
Enduring Freedom.
and intelligence support, repeatedly struck at the airborne assets such as the Predator unmanned
heart of the Taliban and al Qaeda network. aerial vehicle (UAV).
Among the greatest U.S. asymmetric advantages One of the most important and challenging
proved to be the ability to strike quickly from transformational efforts is the horizontal integra-
great distances with precision weapons, rapidly tion of command, control, communications,
stand up a global air bridge, and persistently rec- computers, intelligence, surveillance, and recon-
onnoiter emerging targets. naissance (C4ISR) assets. This synthesis includes
While just a decade ago only 3.5 percent of the conversion of raw information from different
the bombs dropped during Desert Storm were platforms into targeting data for operators and in-
precision-guided, that figure is 60 percent for the formation for commanders. For example, various
Afghan air campaign. This increase in lethality platforms in Afghanistan, such as the Global
and efficiency is the cumulative result of many Hawk and Predator UAVs, RC–135 and U–2 recon-
initiatives that have also advanced joint interop- naissance aircraft, E–8Cs, Navy E–2s and P–3s,
erability. Comparatively few Navy and Air Force and space assets, were linked to resolve ambigui-
strike aircraft could employ precision munitions ties over target location and identification. This
ten years ago; now nearly all can. During Desert permitted long-range strike platforms to receive
Storm, the daily schedule of bombing strikes—the updated data en route to the target area.
air tasking order—had to be physically flown out The array of weapons available to the force
to aircraft carriers. Today the order can be sent has also been expanded. Joint direct attack muni-
anywhere in the world, including naval ships, in tions (JDAMs) are so-called dumb bombs retrofit-
a matter of minutes via satellite—accompanied ted with an electronic brain and fins for steering
with additional gigabytes of precision targeting and are guided by signals from global positioning
imagery. Advanced laser targeting pods on F–16s system satellites. These have enabled large-scale
and F–18s are enabling pilots to automatically precision bombing. Available in limited numbers
strike any target located by ground forces or other
Autumn/Winter 2001–02 / JFQ 11
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(cid:2)
THE AIR FORCE
be fought and then organize, train, and equip
forces accordingly—retaining strategic flexibility
and averting strategic surprise.
By reorganizing as an expeditionary air and
space force and through operational concepts like
the Global Strike Task Force, the Air Force has
used current systems to provide new capabilities
for CINCs. The Global Strike Task Force, for ex-
ample, leverages technology to create asymmetri-
cal advantages on the macro level—providing a
force that can ensure access for U.S. forces to re-
mote theaters. As future operational concepts are
Misiano) identified and developed, the Air Force will move
Michele epveeter ncclioesse—r gtloo bmala xreimcoinzinnagi sistasn fcuen adnadm setrniktael. com-
Wing ( An essential component of future opera-
Fighter teixopnlaoli tcinong cseupcths wcaiplla bbeil iatiier sa ansd t hspoascee p sruopveidrieodr itbyy,
192d the F–22, an air-dominance fighter with substan-
Guardsmen preparing tial air-to-ground strike capabilities. Its stealth
for Noble Eagle.
and supercruise will allow airmen to penetrate
just two years ago for Kosovo, to date they have enemy battlespace regardless of attempts to deny
constituted three quarters of the precision muni- access, enabling follow-on joint forces to operate
tions dropped in Afghanistan. Unlike World War with relative freedom. These leap-ahead capabili-
II tactics, with hundreds of bombers dropping ties will allow F–22s to defeat the most sophisti-
thousands of bombs on a single strategic target, cated surface-to-air missile systems under devel-
JDAMs allow the Air Force to use a single aircraft opment. It will be able to loiter over the
with only a few munitions to strike several targets battlefield, responding quickly to mobile targets;
with devastating results. And unlike air operations and it will be better able to work with ground
over Kosovo, friendly forces on the ground in forces. The fighter also expands our overall preci-
Afghanistan have enabled us to employ these sion strike capability by further enhancing legacy
weapons to best effect by identifying targets and stealth systems, B–2s and F–117s, enabling them
directing precision attacks. to conduct daylight strikes for the first time.
Just as precision munitions provide the joint
A Bigger Tool Box
warfighter a significant increase in lethality over
While improvements in C4ISR and attack Afghanistan, the small diameter bomb (SDB)
systems demonstrated their worth during Endur- under development will add new flexibility. This
ing Freedom, they remain only the foundation 250-pound weapon is projected to have a stand-
for dealing with future enemies. The security en- off of 60 to 70 miles when employed at high alti-
vironment will continue to evolve and will be in- tude. This stand-off will dramatically increase air-
fluenced by asymmetrical threats from both state craft survivability. Envisioned for use on both
and nonstate actors. However, bas- manned and unmanned systems, it will also pro-
ing a strategy on threats alone vide joint warfighters a low-yield, precise
an essential component
would cause planners to miss the weapon, thus lowering collateral damage. Perhaps
of future operational mark in posturing for tomorrow. its greatest benefit is that more of them can be
concepts will be air Air Force planners are focusing on carried on a given sortie, enabling fewer aircraft
coupling accelerated technological to hit more targets.
and space superiority
advancements with new concep- The Air Force also has a comprehensive
tions of the future battlespace. The plan to modernize current aircraft, which in-
goal is to look past uncertain, dynamic needs. cludes replacing legacy F–15s, F–16s, and A–10s
Threat-based strategies were suitable for the bipo- with F–22s and joint strike fighters. C–17 pro-
lar Cold War era but no longer offer the best curement is bringing revolutionary strategic air-
framework for understanding the world. Instead, lift capabilities to warfighters and the Air Force
the Air Force must develop a capabilities-based is pursuing a two-phased modernization ap-
force, identifying and refining future global re- proach for the C–5. Furthermore, the fleet of
connaissance and strike requirements even while
continuing to evaluate how to best deal with im-
mediate needs. Through this process, the service
will define the terms on which future battles will
12 JFQ / Autumn/Winter 2001–02
0529 Roche Pgs 3/12/02 1:29 PM Page 13
Roche
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Com related requirements to budgeting,
30th allowing for the detailed projection of
future capabilities.
The Air Force is committed to improving the
707 tankers and C4ISR platforms must be re- air and space capabilities it provides to joint
placed with a new class of aircraft to meet future warfighters. It is pursuing the investments needed
commitments. Addition- to sharpen the teeth of long-range strike, surveil-
space systems are integrated ally, the Air Force is exam- lance, mobility, UAV, and space assets. The service
ining the potential of is making critical investments to improve the ca-
into virtually every aspect of
transforming single mis- pability of current weapon systems and at the
military operations sion platforms into multi- same time bringing new capabilities to the fight.
mission assets. For exam- In direct support of the CINCs, it continues to
ple, the plan to replace the aging 707-based fleet modernize space forces to further enhance joint
includes the innovative idea of placing passive operations and the ability to monitor global ac-
sensors or data links on future smart tankers. tivities. Several payloads have been launched into
space in the past year, enhancing precision loca-
The Great Beyond
tion and navigation, reliable and secure commu-
As the DOD-designated executive agent for nications, and global surveillance and warning.
space, the Air Force is working with the other Space systems are now integrated into virtually
services and appropriate agencies to establish a every aspect of military operations.
comprehensive approach to national security Modernization of the missile warning sys-
space management and organization. This effort tem is underway with the space based infrared
involves a cradle to grave process to design, radar system (SBIRS) comprising two programs
referred to as SBIRS-high and SBIRS-low. The first
Autumn/Winter 2001–02 / JFQ 13
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THE AIR FORCE
The Air Force and National Reconnaissance
Office, working together, have identified numer-
ous best practices associated with the integration
of space acquisition and operations processes.
These procedures will increase the efficiency and
effectiveness of space-related activities and facili-
tate the further integration of classified and
unclassified space systems.
Sound Fundamentals
The Air Force is embracing efficiency and in-
novation across the full spectrum of operations. In
particular, it is determined to adapt acquisition
Dustin A. Tyson) pcceoormltiecpdiee est fifatoinvrdte ntpoer sposrc.o eTvssihdeese sitnoerc veennicsteiuv rheesa isfno bnr eodgveufaentni osane ccaoonnnd--
Air Force ( tarnadct oinrsn, olavragteiv aen. dS asvminaglls, taoc hbieecvoemd et hmroorueg hef feicxiceenlt-
U.S. lence can be reinvested in warfighting capabilities.
Secretary Roche The most critical long-term challenge for the
in Southwest Asia. Armed Forces remains retaining skilled people.
The Air Force is known for attracting and keeping
constellation, responsible for alerting officials of
the best individuals, both civilian and military,
missile launches around the world, will consist
and caring for them and their families. A high-
of payloads in geosynchronous and highly ellip-
technology Air Force cannot operate without such
tical orbits. The second, a constellation of near-
people. For example, as it pioneers the increased
Earth satellites, will track missiles in mid-course
integration of UAVs into operations, it must reex-
following booster separation. Both programs will
amine its force structure and ensure proper organ-
share a common ground-based control and ex-
ization to not only effectively employ UAVs, but
ploitation network. The first increment for
also provide career-rewarding experiences to those
SBIRS-high, the consolidation of existing defense
supporting such operations.
support program sites into a single new state-of-
The events of the last few months have placed
the-art mission control station, has already oc-
great demands on the total force—active, Air Force
curred. The systems design review for the SBIRS-
Reserve, Air National Guard, and civilian. The new
low component has also been completed.
homeland security mission and the requirements
Although there are development issues that still
of fighting a new kind of war require prudent
require attention, this system remains essential
measures to preserve combat capability. They call
to the defense of the Nation.
for highly trained, educated, and motivated per-
Preparation for the first launch of the new
sonnel. Together with the other services, the Air
expendable launch vehicle in 2002 is on track. It
Force is steadfast in developing a seamless military
will ensure reliable and cost-effective access to
in which resources, effort, and strategic planning
space well into the new century. It is anticipated
coalesce into truly unified capabilities.
that the vehicle will save up to 50 percent over
legacy launch systems.
While the Air Force will continue to exploit
There is also progress in the space control
air and space to national advantage, new de-
area with the multi-year space surveillance net-
mands will alter how its people accomplish these
work recapitalization effort. In another space
missions. The service faces the dual challenges of
control-related action, the Air Force has begun
engaging in war while fundamentally reshaping
integrating potential enemy space capabilities
its warfighting capabilities. Yet this is not an in-
into wargaming exercises, ensuring preparedness
surmountable task. Protecting the United States
to react to attacks on space-related infrastructure.
from further attack while taking the fight to the
In addition to developing the national secu-
enemy necessitates resolve and patience. Trans-
rity space plan, the Air Force is also leading the
forming the military requires creativity, ingenu-
effort to conduct the first national security space
ity, and vision. America’s airmen are equipped for
program assessment, which will compare the plan
both challenges. They remain guided by the
to the current program objective memorandum
words of one of their founders over half a century
and identify space-related recapitalization chal-
ago, General Henry (“Hap”) Arnold: “It’s got to be
lenges over the five-year defense program for
done and done quickly, so let’s get it done.” JFQ
both the Department of Defense and the intelli-
gence community.
14 JFQ / Autumn/Winter 2001–02
