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Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gen. Allvin Outlines Air Force Moves to 'Revive Our Warrior Ethos and Rebuild Our Military'
The Air Force's top uniformed leader pointed to increases in recruiting numbers, slightly longer basic military training exercises and new dining hall options as examples of how he is reviving the service's "warrior ethos" -- using a phrase pushed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. In an update letter to all airmen Friday, Gen. David Allvin, the chief of staff, said the service has already signed up and enlisted 74% of the people it set for its fiscal 2025 goal. "A year and a half ago, I committed to leading our Air Force into the future through initiatives designed to ensure we remain the world's most lethal force," Allvin said in his letter. "This update outlines our strategic direction as we continue to revive our warrior ethos and rebuild our military." Read Next: Tricare West Region Patients Get Another Extension on Specialty Care Authorizations Allvin said in the last six months, "our recruiting statistics have continually exceeded our goals," adding "it's a true testament to our unwavering commitment to build the best warfighting team possible." While Hegseth has been quick to attribute those recruiting upswings in the Air Force, as well as other services such as the Army, to the reelection of President Donald Trump and the new administration's priorities, personnel experts tell it's too soon to tell what factors are contributing to the shift. Notably, the Air Force has been working tirelessly since the COVID-19 pandemic to reverse a downward recruiting trend, which culminated in 2023 in the service missing its recruiting goal for the first time since 1999. Since then, the Air Force made numerous policy changes, including loosening tattoo restrictions, allowing for higher percentages of body fat and expanding waivers overall, previously reported. Taren Sylvester, a research assistant at the Center for a New American Security think tank in Washington, D.C., told it's too soon to tell whether the new administration or other factors, even potential fears of a shaky economy, are causing the upticks in recruiting. Many of those who have joined in the last six months are from the Air Force's delayed entry program -- a waiting area for recruits known as the DEP -- who have joined and are waiting to ship out to boot camp. "A lot of these recruits that you see going in, in those first six months are people who were in the delayed entry program from the end of last fiscal year," Sylvester said in an interview. "Those are being metered out over the course of the fiscal year to control the flow of how people are going to basic at one time." Brig. Gen. Christopher Amrhein, commander of the Air Force Recruiting Service, told reporters at the Air and Space Forces Association's Warfare Symposium in Colorado in March that the service had been adding to the DEP "at a rate not seen in over 15 years." An Air Force spokesperson, when asked whether the service attributes the uptick in recruiting numbers to the new administration, did not explicitly say it was due to Trump or Hegseth. "The positive recruiting trend we are experiencing is a result of many factors, including an excitement to serve, effective marketing and proactive community engagement, amongst others," said the spokesperson, who gave the comment on the condition their name not be used. "What is most important is, the trend continues and young Americans continue to want to serve their country like we are seeing right now." Among other items mentioned in Allvin's letter to the force was that PACER FORGE, a culminating exercise at basic military training that stands for the Primary Agile Combat Employment Range, Forward Operations Readiness Generation Exercise, had been expanded from 36 hours to 57 hours. "By introducing operational concepts and mission-focused skills earlier in training, PACER FORGE reinforces the warrior mindset from day one," Allvin wrote in the letter. "We are harnessing the innovative talent and warrior ethos that exist in every corner of our Air Force." Notably, PACER FORGE was instituted as a replacement in 2022 for BEAST Week -- a weeklong mock deployment exercise that stood for Basic Expeditionary Airman Skills Training. Allvin also highlighted that "responding to feedback," the Air Force updated its dining facility menus with new meal options to "better support warfighter performance." He also highlighted the progress made on the service's F-47 Next Generation Air Dominance fighter as well as unmanned fighters dubbed Collaborative Combat Aircraft and planned large-scale exercises in the Pacific slated for this summer. The chief of staff's brief update letter made multiple references to "warfighters" and "warrior ethos" throughout the text. reported during the Air and Space Forces Association's March conference in Colorado that Allvin had seemingly embraced Hegseth's new rhetoric during his keynote address. Related: 'Warheads on Foreheads': Top Leaders for Air Force, Space Force Leaning into Defense Secretary's Rhetoric
Asia Times
19-03-2025
- Science
- Asia Times
US arming up to zap China, Russia in space
The race for space dominance is intensifying as the US Space Force embraces directed-energy weapons, jammers and kinetic systems to counter China and Russia's escalating orbital warfare capabilities. The space war plan, designed to achieve 'space superiority', was outlined by General Chance Saltzman at the recent Air & Space Forces Association Warfare Symposium, Task & Purpose reported. While traditional military branches have historically explored space weaponry, the US Space Force's contemporary approach includes offensive and defensive tools for terrestrial and orbital operations. This approach marks a shift from the branch's initial focus on satellite network development for communication and missile detection. Directed energy weapons like lasers and jammers are favored for neutralizing enemy satellites without generating harmful debris in space. Saltzman also revealed plans for a foundational doctrine, 'Space Force Doctrine Document One,' which will define the agency's vision for space operations. Initiatives such as the secretive X-37B space plane underscore the broader strategic vision for orbital control. The US Space Force's intent to diversify its arsenal reflects its evolving role in maintaining strategic dominance in space, leveraging advanced technologies to counteract adversarial capabilities while minimizing collateral risks. Illustrating the growing capabilities of near-peer adversarial threats, CNN reported this month that China and Russia are aggressively testing offensive space capabilities, highlighting their increasing space militarization. According to the report, Russia has recently conducted satellite training missions, practicing 'attack and defend tactics' in the Low-Earth Orbit (LEO), while China demonstrated advanced co-orbital satellite maneuvers in December 2024. The CNN report says both nations are developing technologies such as anti-satellite missiles and directed-energy weapons to disrupt or destroy enemy satellites. Directed energy weapons encompass lasers and microwaves. Lasers could overheat or melt sensitive components or blind sensors on satellites. Microwaves can induce electric currents that could 'fry' satellite electronics, destroying the satellite without breaking it apart. While not considered a directed energy weapon, jamming works by flooding satellites with false signals or noise, drowning out their control signals and temporarily making them inoperable. An August 2021 US Congressional Research Service (CRS) report describes space as the 'ultimate high ground,' critical to communications, intelligence and missile warning surveillance operations. The report notes that near-peer adversaries like China and Russia have studied warfighting concepts and focused on space systems as a particular US vulnerability. Such developments give rise to a new form of space warfare. In a February 2025 Modern Warfare Institute (MWI) article, Alan Dugger explains the concept of orbital warfare. Unlike terrestrial battles, Dugger says orbital warfare is defined by subtle maneuvers, strategic positioning and kinetic and non-kinetic methods to disrupt or disable adversary assets. He mentions that the concept revolves around controlling orbital slots and leveraging technologies like cyberattacks, electronic jamming and directed energy to achieve dominance without creating debris. Further, Jessica Getrost writes in a June 2024 podcast for the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies that orbital warfare involves more than two vehicles maneuvering around each other. Getrost says orbital warfare involves executing offensive and defensive fires to preserve freedom of action in space. In the same podcast, Charles Galbreath emphasizes the foundational role of space domain awareness (SDA) in orbital warfare, emphasizing reaction time to prepare for attacks against space-based assets to ensure continuous space-based support for warfighters. Further on orbital warfare, US Space Doctrine Publication 3-0 defines space superiority as 'a relative degree of control in space of one force over another that would permit the conduct of its operations without prohibitive interference from the adversary while simultaneously denying their opponent freedom of action in the domain at a given time.' However, these conceptual developments may have to be implemented amid an architectural shift in space-based military capabilities, which are now moving from a few expensive satellites to proliferated satellite constellations. Illustrating that shift, Breaking Defense reported this month that the US Space Force is reevaluating its reliance on costly, singular satellite systems in favor of a proliferated satellite architecture, as confirmed by Major General Stephen Purdy. Breaking Defense says this shift aims to enhance resilience and cost-efficiency by leveraging commercial alternatives for space situational awareness and other critical capabilities. The report mentions that the US Space Systems Command is analyzing legacy programs, including Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability, to identify opportunities for commercial integration. It points out this approach may require scaling back stringent requirements to achieve faster deployment and reduced expenses. Douglas Youvan highlights the advantages of satellite constellations, mentioning that they offer redundancy, resilience and versatility, making them formidable assets in potential conflict scenarios. Youvan says they can provide continuous coverage, adapt to evolving mission needs and mitigate the risk of losing a single satellite. However, Youvan points out that their very nature – being small, numerous and relatively cheap – means they could be used in more aggressive postures, adding to space congestion and amplifying the risk of unintentional escalations. Aside from the tactical and operational advantages afforded by proliferated microsatellite constellations, Dugan says hiding military goals within civilian activities introduces strategic uncertainty, enabling state actors to operate covertly on the global stage without detection or opposition. This intermingling of civilian and military capabilities and operations in space enables the conduct of gray zone operations in the domain. In a July 2024 article for the Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs, Mike Carey and Charlie McGillis mention that intermingling civilian and military activities in space allows states to exert influence below the threshold of armed conflict. Carey and McGillis point out that the US and its adversaries, including China and Russia, leverage commercial space assets for strategic objectives, complicating attribution and response. They say non-kinetic tactics—such as jamming, spoofing and cyberattacks—degrade satellite capabilities while maintaining plausible deniability. They also mention that space technology's dual-use nature blurs the lines between civilian and military operations, making deterrence challenging. As the militarization of space accelerates, the fusion of advanced technology, strategic deception and great-power competition is transforming Earth's orbit into the next battlefield.
Asia Times
07-03-2025
- Business
- Asia Times
US eyes fighter drones to contain China's surging air power
The YFQ-42A and YFQ-44A unmanned fighter prototypes mark a seismic shift in US air combat strategy, but cost overruns, production delays and industrial constraints threaten to stall America's push for affordable mass to counter China's surging military force. This month, Air & Space Forces Magazine reported that US Air Force Chief of Staff General David Allvin unveiled the military's groundbreaking fighter drones at the AFA Warfare Symposium in Aurora, Colorado. Developed by US defense contractors General Atomics and Anduril Industries, respectively, these Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) are part of the Air Force's Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) portfolio, marking a pivotal shift toward manned-unmanned teaming in aerial combat. The YFQ-42A and YFQ-44A, designed to function as 'loyal wingmen,' will accompany crewed fighters like the F-35, enhancing air dominance at reduced costs and within tight timelines. Employing prototype designation codes—'Y' for prototype, 'F' for fighter, and 'Q' for unmanned—the announcement underscores a strategic evolution toward integrating semi-autonomous aircraft into contested environments. Anduril hailed the development as a transformative step in air superiority, emphasizing affordability, mass production and enhanced capabilities. General Atomics echoed this, noting the YFQ-42A's crucial role in expanding mission capacities alongside current and future aircraft. Allvin framed this innovation as essential to modernization, offering the Trump administration's Pentagon versatile options for addressing emerging global security challenges in an increasingly dangerous and dynamic era. In framing US tactical imperatives to expedite CCA development, Heather Penney mentions in an October 2022 report for the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies that CCAs increase combat mass, creating a more attrition-tolerant force that enables riskier yet more decisive operations. Penney says that by teaming with piloted aircraft, CCA can serve as decoys, missile sinks or electronic warfare platforms to disrupt enemy targeting and extend the survivability of human pilots. She adds that their autonomous features, such as AI-based threat detection and adaptable movements, improve operational agility in challenging contexts while compensating for the decline of human skills during extended combat since their performance relies on software enhancements instead of lengthy pilot training. Such attritable, semi-autonomous mass may be critical in a near-peer adversary conflict in which the US may be seriously outnumbered. In a March 2024 article for Air & Space Forces Magazine, Daniel Rice mentions that China could produce 100 J-20 airframes a year, compared to the US F-22, which the US stopped production in 2011 at just 187 irreplaceable planes. Rice says China has stepped up production of other fighter variants, producing 100 J-16s and 40 low-end J-10 fighters annually. He contrasts that with US F-35 production, pointing out that while the US produces 135 F-35s yearly, 60 to 70 planes are sold to allies. While the development of unmanned fighters has led some, such as Elon Musk, to question the utility of manned fighters, AI in this area still faces significant hurdles. In a December 2024 SOFREP article, Brigadier General Doug Wickert, commander of the 412th Test Wing, mentions that fully robotized warfare is still far off, saying it could be 'centuries' before AI pilots replace humans. Wickert says these systems are far from flawless, as shown by test flights revealing inconsistencies necessitating rigorous safety measures and fallbacks for human intervention. Moreover, the US may be facing debates regarding the direction of its CCA program. In a December 2024 National Defense Magazine article, Andrew Hunter, the US Air Force's acquisition chief, highlights trade-offs between cost and capability, emphasizing user engagement and thorough analysis. Hunter says that affordability demands sacrificing certain features, while capability enhancements require accepting higher costs. He also mentions that sustainment costs promise reductions due to limited training needs and shorter operational lifespans, but achieving balance remains crucial for future force design and industrial competition. Apart from AI limitations and debates regarding the direction of the US CCA program, cost-death spirals and constraints of the US defense industrial base may leave much to be desired in creating the affordable mass the program promises. Gregory Allen and Isaac Goldston mention in an August 2024 report for the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) think tank that the CCA program faces two significant concerns: cost escalation and production delays. Allen and Goldston point out that CCA's projected unit price has soared from US$3 million under the Low-Cost Attritable Aircraft Technology (LCAAT) program to $25–30 million. That, they note is still 10 times cheaper than the NGAD. They also say that while the CCA program aims for 1,000 units, only 100 units are expected for delivery by 2029, which is far behind the urgent timeline suggested by intelligence assessments warning of a possible Chinese invasion or blockade of Taiwan by 2027. In line with rising costs, The War Zone (TWZ) reported in January 2025 that cost concerns loom over the second batch of CCAs, making them 20-30% more expensive than the first. While TWZ mentions that US Air Force officials have resisted the idea of acquiring 'exquisite' stealthy unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAV) in favor of CCAs that could be acquired in more significant numbers, affordability questions loom over major projects such as the NGAD, Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and B-21 Raider bomber fleet. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall mentioned that while the CCA should not be an exquisite platform, it is difficult to see how the US Air Force could afford any combination of NGADs, CCAs and stealthy tankers. A September 2024 US Congressional Research Service (CRS) report outlines the US defense industry's systemic challenges. The report notes that the US defense industrial base is a highly consolidated market, where a handful of large defense contractors dominate production, thus limiting competition and innovation. The CRS report points out that supply chain vulnerabilities—exacerbated by reliance on foreign sources for critical materials and components—raise concerns about resilience, particularly when the US is involved in great power competition with China and Russia. In addition, the report says workforce shortages in specialized fields, long production lead times and unpredictable procurement cycles contribute to inefficiencies. It adds that regulatory complexities and acquisition policies slow the integration of emerging technologies into defense systems. Further, this month's report by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute says that while China continues to outproduce the US, the US is stuck in a self-perpetuating cycle of budgetary and appropriations dysfunction, eroding its advantage. However, the report stresses that while those challenges are significant, they are not immutable.
South China Morning Post
06-03-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
China's sixth-gen fighter jet leaves US Air Force officials with ‘choices to make'
China's newest fighter jet emerged as a talking point at an American defence conference this week, with US Air Force officials showing more urgency to get their own version of a sixth-generation stealth combat jet. Advertisement They made the call at the annual Air & Space Forces Association's Warfare Symposium, held in Colorado from Monday to Wednesday, while discussing the future of a costly fighter jet programme – Next Generation Air Dominance – that was paused last summer. 'We have some choices to make as we observe what China has produced, and we can presume we know what that's for – for air superiority,' US Air Combat Commander Kenneth Wilsbach said during a panel discussion on Tuesday, according to American news outlet Defense One. 'What are we going to do about it? I don't believe that nothing is an option,' he said. US Air Combat Commander Kenneth Wilsbach says doing nothing is not an option. Photo: YouTube Wilsbach was referring to the unofficial debut of two Chinese sixth-generation aircraft prototypes in December that suggests the People's Liberation Army could have an early advantage in the race with its long-range, stealthy J-36.
