Aperture

Sept. 1, 2014
Clawing back from the precipice; USAF’s credibility gap; Total Force future; Flex and stretch….

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INDOPACOM Boss Wants the Air Force to Base Fifth-Gen Fighters Closer to China

June 24, 2022
U.S. Air Force F-35s and F-22s regularly deploy deep into the Pacific region from Alaska, Utah, and Hawaii. In the future, though, the head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command would like to see the Air Force permanently station fifth-generation aircraft west of the international date line—closer to China.

Kendall: ‘Unrealistic’ for Air Force to Fight Two Wars While Modernizing

June 24, 2022
As Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall looks to modernize the force, he is calling for tough decisions that will shrink the size of the fleet and make the waging of two simultaneous wars “unrealistic,” he said at an AFA Leaders in Action event. Kendall sat down with AFA's president, retired…

Kendall Dispenses With Roper’s Quick NGAD Rhythm; System is Too Complex

June 24, 2022
The crewed, central platform of the Next Generation Air Dominance system won’t follow early timetables that called for new versions to be fielded every five years or so because it’s simply too complex, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall revealed. And while the program has entered formal development, it is still…

Shift to Air Defense War in Ukraine Prompts US to Rethink Aid

June 24, 2022
The attempt by Ukraine to hold the eastern city of Sievierodonetsk ended June 23 as the Biden administration announced another $450 million in military aid, including four additional HIMARS rocket systems, to help strike Russian artillery as unmanned aerial systems have grown ineffective against Russian air defenses. “Air defense is…

72 Air National Guard F-16s Upgraded With ‘Fifth-Gen’ Radars

June 24, 2022
Seventy-two F-16s across the Air National Guard have been upgraded with fifth-generation radars, giving the fighters the ability to track more targets at longer ranges with greater precision, the Air Force and Northrop Grumman announced this month.

Looser Marijuana Rules Added to House Panel’s NDAA—But No Changes to Vaccine Mandate

June 24, 2022
Service members facing potential discharges for refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine received little relief from the House Armed Services Committee as it marked up the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, with a series of provisions challenging the vaccine mandate getting voted down. Troops hoping for changes to the Pentagon’s…

Processes May Matter More Than Technology in ABMS Creation, Generals Say

June 23, 2022
Improving the processes and culture already inherent in battle management command and control could make a bigger difference in the success of the Advanced Battle Management System than any new technology. Some new processes are already being fielded, said leaders who are coordinating ABMS for the Department of the Air…

NDAA Proposals Address Joint Force Integration in Indo-Pacific

June 23, 2022
Amendments in a House version of the fiscal 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) would strengthen U.S. posture and resourcing at U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. One proposal to create a new joint command in Hawaii or Guam comes amid questions as to whether INDOPACOM is doing enough on its own to…