Gen. Bruce Carlson, head of Air Force Materiel Command, acknowledges that the Air Force and the other services are facing a “challenging environment,” but he told attendees at the Logistics Officer Association conference in San Antonio Tuesday that “the sky is not falling.” He maintains, “We will win the war on terrorism, take care of our airmen, and recapitalize the Air Force.” All it will take is for airmen to become “more efficient” and for the Air Force to reduce legacy systems and restore “a positive perception of the Air Force acquisition system.”
While the Pentagon has signaled its intent to scale technology, field new systems faster, and work more with nontraditional vendors, a new report identifies persistent manufacturing capacity, resourcing, workforce, and modernization challenges that could hinder its ability to deliver on those goals.