Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) wanted to know what exactly differentiates Global Strike from Prompt Global Strike. Marine Corps Gen. James E. Cartwright, head of US Strategic Command, explained at a Senate strategic forces subcommittee hearing this week that the key difference is timing. He said that the premise behind PGS is that the US should be able to deliver a non-nuclear strike on a time-sensitive target in “one hour, any place” in the world. Cartwright noted that some high-value targets could have been eliminated during the initial stages of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan had the capability—and a simplified chain of command approval process—been in place.
The Air Force should build its capacity and striking power with collaborative combat aircraft but must put the teaming aspect of the new class of weapons first, getting the concepts and software right at the outset to ensure that autonomous airplanes do what’s needed and expected—and can be trusted—argues a…