In Service to the Nation : Air Force Research Institute strategic concept for 2018-2023 / John A. Shaud.

Format:

Book

Government document

Author/Creator:

Shaud, John Albert, 1933- author.

Contributor:

Air University (U.S.). Air Force Research Institute

Air University (U.S.). Press, issuing body.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

United States. Air Force--Forecasting.

United States.

United States. Air Force--Operational readiness.

United States. Air Force.

Air power--United States.

Air power.

Military planning--United States.

Military planning.

Strategic planning--United States.

Strategic planning.

Technological innovations--United States--Forecasting.

Technological innovations.

Armed Forces--Forecasting.

Armed Forces--Operational readiness.

Technological innovations--Forecasting.

Genre:

Online resources.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (vii, 111 pages) : illustrations

Other Title:

Air Force Research Institute strategic concept for 2018-2023

Place of Publication:

Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama : Air University Press, 2009.

Summary:

On 12 September 2007, the Air University commander tasked the Air Force Research Institute to provide an "outside-the-beltway" look at what the U.S. Air Force (USAF) should look like 10-15 years from now, roughly 2018-2023. The goal of this study is to identify the enduring attributes of the nation's air, space, and cyberspace force in the context of major transitions. The study attempts to understand the value of the service's contribution to national security and, where appropriate, offer considerations for change. It is not meant to be all encompassing, but rather provides insight into the most pressing issues facing the USAF in the post-Cold War era. Binding the strategy together is a redefinition of Global Vigilance, Global Reach, and Global Power; not in a weapons systems-specific context, but rather as a framework through which the USAF serves the nation. An underlying assumption is that while major combat operations, also known as conventional campaigns, are the most dangerous to America's national interest, the conduct of irregular warfare (IW) is the most likely. Accordingly, beyond recasting Global Vigilance, Reach, and Power, the study focuses on how the USAF can contribute to winning the current fight while simultaneously maintaining the technological superiority necessary for prevailing in the future fight. In relation to the current fight, the study discusses winning IW, air mobility, air-ground integration and the planning cycle, intelligence reform, the transformation of air power thought -- including integration of unmanned aerial systems, the Total Force, and air base disaster contingency planning. In maintaining USAF technological superiority, the study focuses on acquisition reform, nuclear surety and deterrence, intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and bomber modernization, space defense in depth, and operationally responsive space and cyberspace operations.

Contents:

Executive summary

The USAF today

Framing the question

The current fight

Recasting the future (2018-23)

The future fight: maintaining USAF technological superiority

Summary of recommendations

Appendix A: Title 10

Appendix B: Funding lInes

Appendix C: United States Air Force history

Appendix D: Quick look [Background] papers

Appendix E: Interview questions

Appendix F: Personnel interviewed

Appendix G: A timeline of USAF strategic thought.

Notes:

"January 2009."

Online resource, PDF version; title from title page (viewed June 5, 2017).

Includes bibliographical references.

Other Format:

Print version: Shaud, John Albert, 1933- In service to the nation

OCLC:

320417984