Fiscal Year 2005 Research Agenda

Exploring Joint Tradespace

Each of the Services continues to refine their force structures and their concepts of operations, including joint operations. This creates a need to compare and contrast the Services’ force structures, capabilities, and operations concepts in order to continue to improve the efficiency of joint operations and optimize the resource allocation to the Services. This project will characterize Air Force, Army, and Navy modernization plans and future capabilities, and will identify potential overlaps and resource tradespace potential. It will support the ongoing Quadrennial Defense Review with interim and final results, direct assistance in the form of red-teaming activities, and participate the development, vetting, and use of modernization planning tools, including the Expanded Tradeoff Tool.

Sponsor: AF/XPX
Project Leaders: Donald Stevens, David Thaler

Implications of Heavy Reliance on Space-Based Capabilities

Basing capabilities in space has distinct advantages, but also has attendant risks. Understanding these risks, and the means to mitigate them is necessary if the U.S. is to make informed decisions regarding the requirements for space-based capabilities and the balance between these and other capabilities. This project will begin by examining the implications of known risks to space assets, and how these risks may change in the future. It will then consider broad alternatives to mitigate risks, including hardening, protection, responsive reconstitution, and airborne complements/supplements/backups. Finally, it will assess and compare the costs and benefits of risk mitigation alternatives.

Sponsors: AF/XPP; AFSPC/CV
Project Leader: Russell Shaver

Space Systems Development Risk Assessment: Capability Needs versus Program Performance

Military space system development programs have, in many cases, been characterized by significant programmatic problems, involving their cost, schedule and performance. This study will examine several space system development programs including the metrics and methods used to track their cost, schedule, and technical performance. The study team will review programmatic documentation and will interview program management personnel in an effort to identify sources and patterns of shortfalls. Finally, the study will identify risk-mitigating strategies for current and future space system development programs.

Sponsor: SAF/US
Project Leader: Myron Hura

Technologies and Tactics for Improved Air-Ground Effectiveness

Air-ground joint operations involving conventional and special forces are an increasingly prominent component of Air Force combat operations. The objective of this research will be to identify and analyze the costs and effectiveness of alternative technologies and tactics for coordinated air-ground operations, including mixes of sensors and weapons, and alternative functions for Terminal Attack Controllers and higher command echelons. This study will examine the functional elements of coordinated air-ground attacks and develop or enhance simulation tools to examine timing, precision, and information flow of alternative air-ground attack concepts. The results will compare and contrast the costs and benefits of these alternatives.

Sponsors: AF/XO; ACC/CC; AFSOC/CC
Project Leader: Jody Jacobs

Fighting Airbases Under Attack

A variety of physical threats to military air bases exist. While the U.S. has been relatively free from attacks to their airbases during operations, this may not always be the case. It is important to understand the requirements and options for maintaining flight operations under various forms of external attack. This study will characterize the spectrum of threats to airbase operations. It will also develop a dynamic physical simulation of critical airbase activities and flows, and vet the simulation details, in puts, and assumptions with Air Force operators. Finally the study will utilize the simulation to examine the impact of attacks on airbase operations and develop effective response options.

Sponsor: AF/XO
Project Leader: Ted Harshberger

Tasking and Employing ISR Assets to Support Effects-Based Operations

Appropriate command and control of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets is a key determinant in the efficacy modern combat operations. This study will develop new techniques and strategies for the command and control of ISR assets in dynamic environments across the spectrum of conflicts involving combat air forces. The study will begin by reviewing the role of the Joint Forces Air Component Commander in conducting ISR operations for the Joint Forces Commander, and will identifying shortfalls in current ISR command and control methods. It will also develop tools to quantify the effects of alternative ISR force structures and command and control strategies. It will identify the most promising methods for command and control of ISR forces and recommend potential investments and initiatives.

Sponsors: PACAF/CC; AF/XOI
Project Leaders: Carl Rhodes, Sherrill Lingel

Capabilities-based Analysis Methods

It is important to be able to assess the capability implications of new concepts of operations, new technologies or new integrated systems-of-systems. This project will review and assess a suite of assessment methodologies to determine their suitability to contribute to capabilities-based analysis, including providing indications of appropriate metrics for use in capabilities-based analysis.

Sponsor: AFRL/CC
Project Leader: Paul Davis