The Pentagon has released “The National Military Strategic Plan for the War on Terrorism”—an “authoritative” document intended to sort out and synchronize DOD efforts in the so-called “long war.” One key provision of the 40-page document—which can be found here, but, caution, it’s a slow load because it’s image heavy—is official designation of the head of US Special Operations Command as the “supported combatant commander.”
A top Pentagon tech official called on industry this week to help the military develop “lighter, more efficient” directed energy weapons designed to go on aircraft and conduct special operations missions or down drones—areas where the Air Force’s directed energy efforts have been quiet as of late.