Fiscal Year 2007 Research Agenda

Virtual Air Operations Centers

The planned and funded CONOPS for operational-level C2 rely on a few, centralized operations centers, staffed by large co-located staffs. However, the continued implementation of network-centric capabilities may allow another approach to operational level C2 that reduces the reliance on these operations centers. This project will help the Air Force understand the obstacles and pathways, benefits and risks entailed in moving to a future with distributed, network-centric operational C2, eliminating or minimizing the need for co-located operations centers.

Sponsor: SAF/XC
Project Leaders: Elham Ghashghai

Designing a Future Long-Range/Persistent Strike Capability for the USAF

Current USAF efforts to define a future long-range strike capability need to be complemented by detailed analysis of key aspects of persistence and survivability. This study will augment and parallel the current long-range strike analysis of alternatives and identify appropriate performance and design characteristics of an AF long range strike capability. The study will draw upon extensive prior RAND research on persistence, alternative strike platforms and air vehicle survivability. This effort will require SAP/SAR access.

Sponsor: CSAF; SAF/AQP
Project Leader: James Chow and Don Stevens

USAF "Phase 0" Capability-Based Analysis

The U.S. Air Force is considering a range of actions to enhance future "Phase 0" capabilities in support of contingency plans and identified COCOM needs. This project will define key USAF capabilities associated with "Phase 0" operations, identify capability gaps and shortfalls, and determine the need (or lack thereof) for materiel solutions to address identified shortfalls. Results will be documented in the form of the functional studies (FAA, FNA, FSA) prescribed by the JCIDS process.

Sponsor: AFSOC/CC; AF/A5; SAF/IA; AF/A8
Project Leaders: John Stillion

Airspace Defense, Control, and De-Confliction on the Future Battlefield

Responsibility for coordination and control of theater airspace is well-defined in Joint doctrine and has not, until recently, been an arena for serious inter-service tension. However, the proliferation of unmanned systems on the battlefield has limited ability to characterize and control airspace, and the desire to flexibly employ these systems has led to conflicting views among the Army and the Air Force on the most appropriate means and measures for airspace control and defense. This study will quantitatively assess alternative approaches (concepts, doctrine, tactics, techniques, and procedures, equipment, and personnel training ) for maintaining effective airspace control and defense during future major conflicts and stability operations.

Sponsor: AF/A3; ACC/A3
Project Leader: Myron Hura

The Role of Global Hawk in Maritime Surveillance

For the past two years, PAF has been developing and implementing frameworks and simulation tools that assist the Air Force in developing effective allocation and collection strategies for Service and National ISR assets. The arrival of STRATCOM as a true allocator of ISR assets enhances the need for effective development and presentations of ISR needs in theater. In FY06, these tools were utilized to examine alternative resource levels and allocation approaches in the Pacific AOR as well as to examine alternative configurations for maritime surveillance on the Global Hawk. In FY07, this work will continue on specific issues in consultation with the sponsors, as well as building the capability to implement and demonstrate these approaches in critical USAF exercises such as JEFX.

Sponsor: PACAF/IN; AF/A2; ACC/A2, A8
Project Leader: Carl Rhodes and Sherrill Lingel

Ensuring Effective Positioning, Navigation, and Timing for National Security

The Air Force is currently engaged in assured PNT delivery through the acquisition, maintenance, and operation of GPS. The Air Force, the other Services, and non-military entities also acquire and operate other PNT systems, either as augmentations to GPS (e.g., the FAA's Wide Area Augmentation System, and possible augmentations for individual weapon systems like Small Diameter Bomb) or independent systems (e.g., inertial navigation systems and internet timing services). Ensuring PNT delivery in stressing environments will likely require the integration of several PNT services in addition to increased protection of these services. This project will examine approaches for appropriately ensuring the provision of PNT required for U.S. interests including national, homeland, and economic security. The project will explore the solution space to identify areas where the Air Force might most effectively engage, and delineate other areas that are most effectively addressed outside the Air Force.

Sponsor: AF/A3S
Project Leader: Lara Schmidt

Enhancing Joint Command and Control of Space Forces

STRATCOM continues to organize and define its mission and command relationships, and has provided recent direction on command and control of space forces. USSTRATCOM designated 14AF/CC as the commander of joint space operations, with responsibilities for conducting global joint space operations, and when directed, to provide space effects to other combatant commanders in their areas of responsibility. This direction levies responsibilities on both 14th AF for defining and implementing meaningful command relationships and procedures and on the USAF in its Title 10 role. As one example, the commander of joint space operations will have to evolve the largely Air Force-focused space operations center at Vandenberg to a true joint space operation center. This study will identify preferred structures and required actions for implementing effective Joint command and control of U.S. space forces.

Sponsor: 14AF/CC; AF/A3S
Project Leader: Gary McLeod

Employment of Air Force Capabilities in Future SSTR/COIN/IW Operations

As the U.S. military struggles to meet the demands of both a global counter terrorism campaign and ongoing counterinsurgency operation in Iraq and Afghanistan, it has become apparent that some critical capabilities are in high demand. This study will assess the organizational, procedural, technical, and training successes and challenges with regard to the employment of persistent strike, electronic warfare, surveillance and reconnaissance, informing and influence operations during OEF and OIF Phase IV operations. It will determine whether the Air Component Commander had control over the appropriate scope of kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities in order to fulfill the Unified Combatant Commander's objectives, and recommend changes to better prepare the USAF for future conflicts.

Sponsor: AF/A5; SAF/CM
Project Leader: Edward O'Connell

Eighty-Six Combat Wing Construct

This study will examine the strengths and weaknesses of the combat wing metric. We will also assess the analytic foundation of the 86 combat wing force. We will then examine the impact of how changes in adversary concepts of operation (CONOPS) and systems future major combat operations (MCOs) could change the need for forces. We will also assess how changes in the course of the War on Terror, the rise of a near peer or an increase in the number of nations with nuclear weapons could impact the need for forces.

Sponsor: AF/A8
Project Leader: Daniel Norton

Hybrid Airships

This study will help the Air Force better understand potential hybrid airship capabilities and options. The assessment will include the relative advantages of hybrid airships as compared with other options for carrying large loads, key enabling technologies, developments since previous studies have examined hybrid airships, how technology might make hybrid airships more viable in the future, and how these systems might support other missions and services. The CSAF has asked for an examination of hybrid airships.

Sponsor: SAF/AQX
Project Leader: TBE

Intratheater Cargo Delivery Functional Solution Analysis (FSA)

In FY06, PAF conducted the Functional Area Analysis and Functional Needs Analysis associated with future intra-theater lift requirements. The Functional Needs Analysis has identified specific shortfalls in future capability associated with the aging of the C-130E and C-130H components of the theater airlift fleet. As prescribed in the JCIDS process, the Functional Solutions Analysis will evaluate the potential for non-materiel solutions to mitigate or eliminate this shortfall.

Sponsor: AF/A5R; AMC/A5
Project Leader: David Orletsky

KC-10 Modernization

The Air Force is preparing to modernize the KC-10. This effort will assist the Air Force with those preparations, leading into an Analysis of Alternatives for a possible KC-10 Aircraft Extension Program (AEP). (This effort will likely be continued in FY08.) The U.S. Air Force currently operates a fleet of 59 KC-10 aerial refueling tanker aircraft, which are approaching 25 years of age and it is expected that they will require significant modernization to keep them viable through FY45. The KC-10 AEP is the first major step in this modernization process. The Air Force anticipates the AEP program will be designated Acquisition Category (ACAT) level I. An Analysis of Alternatives (AoA), which is a rigorous assessment of the relative cost-effectiveness of alternate ways of modernizing the fleet, is required. The primary objective of the AEP will be to upgrade the KC-10 fleet to Federal Aviation Administration and International Civil Aviation Organization standards enabling full access to worldwide civil and military airspace. This capability is generically described as CNS/ATM. In addition, the upgrades will convert the aircraft to digital electronics and address Force Protection requirements. Additional capabilities to be considered include a modular approach, obsolescence mitigation, real-time information in the cockpit, night-vision imaging and survivability.

Sponsor: SAF/AQQ
Project Leader: TBE

What is the Next Warfare Technology Revolution?

This study will examine future military aviation technology. We will determine if there are new military capabilities that offer the prospect of overwhelming superiority in future conflicts and what technologies are associated with them. How enduring are these new capabilities? Are they easily countered?

Sponsor: AF/A8X
Project Leader: Thomas Hamilton

USAF Intratheater Airlift Fleet Mix Analysis

Following the Functional Needs Analysis, a decision will be required on whether or not to pursue materiel solutions to any potential remaining shortfalls in intra-theater lift capabilities. Should the USAF desire to pursue acquisition of a materiel solution, the JCIDS process specifies an Analysis of Alternatives as the next step in the acquisition process. This study would initiate an Analysis of Alternatives among potential materiel solutions to intra-theater lift capability shortfalls. Additional funding would be required for this effort in FY08.

Sponsor: AF/A5R; AMC/A5
Project Leader: Michael Kennedy and David Orletsky