TRANSFORMING OF THE AIR FORCES

Speaker: Dr. Don Daniel, Distinguished Research Professor, CTNSP, and Col Gail Wojtowicz, Director, USAF Force Transformation Directorate

Introduction
Over the past two decades, U.S. air forces have grown increasingly capable of playing decisive roles in modern warfare. This trend is in great measure a product of major advances in C4ISR systems, sensors, stealth technology, and precision munitions. As a result, today’s air forces, including the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, are capable of not only winning the air battle, but more importantly in the conflicts of the past decade, destroying enemy strategic targets and contributing importantly to the land battle. Notwithstanding their current supremacy, U.S. air forces need to take part in the transformation process in order to acquire the improved capabilities needed for future missions and operations. The agenda is partly one of replacing aging combat aircraft with new models, including the F-22, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) and the F/A-18 E/F. Parallel efforts are needed to take advantage of new sensor and information, unmanned aircraft and robotics, ultra-smart munitions for direct attack and standoff targeting, capabilities to suppress modern enemy air defenses, and measures for attacking small mobile targets. The challenge is partly one of being able to afford the necessary improvements with the funds that are likely to be available. Beyond this, the air forces need to determine the balance to be struck between normal modernization and recapitalization, versus transforming in more fundamental ways that could significantly alter their platforms, structures, and operations.

Objectives

1. Analyze the modernization, recapitalization, and transformation agenda of the Air Force, especially the Transformation Flight Plan, the potential payoffs, and affordability.
2. Analyze the technologies, operational concepts, organizational structures, training, and doctrine necessary for transformation of the Air Force.
3. Based on your assessment of the future strategic environment and nature of war, analyze the role of the Air Force in U.S. defense strategy, in future missions and operations, and necessity of integrating with the ground forces.
4. Examine potential impediments to achieving transformation of the Air Force, including cultural, technological, programmatic, and budgetary constraints.
5. Understand the important roles played by combat aircraft, C4ISR, information networking, support aircraft, sensors, and munitions in determining the capacity to carry out effects-based operations.

1. What kind of air forces will be needed to meet future U.S. strategic and defense requirements?
2. How does the Air Force Transformation Flight Plan support the strategic requirements for the coming years? To what extent is it anchored in viable technologies and weapon systems?
3. What organizational structures, doctrine, and training are required for transformation of the Air Forces? What new technologies promise to contribute heavily to the Air Forces’ future?
4. What is the appropriate balance between modernization/recapitalization of legacy systems and transformation? How can the Air Force best allocate available funds for acquisition of combat aircraft, C4ISR systems, sensors, information networks, and smart munitions?
5. What constraints exist for transforming the Air Force? How serious are they?
6. What enhanced capabilities are needed in such key areas as early and forcible entry, suppression of modern air defenses, and attack on of a wide spectrum of targets, including small mobile targets, underground bunkers and WMD, for carrying out effects-based operations? How can the air forces best acquire these capabilities?
7. What procurement strategies are available for dealing with budgetary shortfalls, especially during 2009-2020?

Required Reading
Daniel, Donald C. “The Air Force: Science, Technology, and Transformation.” Defense Horizons. National Defense University. May 2003.

Kosiak, Steven. Matching Resources with Requirements: Options for Modernizing the Air Force. Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, August 2004. Read the Executive Summary (included in reading packet) and skim the rest online.

USAF Transformation Flight Plan (2004) Executive Summary

Bolkom, Christopher. “Tactical Aircraft Modernization: Issues for Congress,” Congressional Research Service Issue Brief for Congress, August 2005.