The Air Force’s next-generation bomber must be capable of strategic deterrence as well as precision strike, said retired Gen. John Corley, former Air Combat Command boss. Contrasted with historical stealth, “for this bomber to have value, it’s got to have a visible deterrent demonstration capacity capability to it,” said Corley, speaking on a Washington Security Forum panel discussion on the future bomber on Tuesday in Washington, D.C. “For the US to be able to deter . . . adversaries and also reassure allies around the planet, it’s going to demand . . . operational capability,” he asserted, stressing that design requirements flow from strategic intent. Equally important is the need for conventional “global precision attack” to be able to “strike rapidly and persistently and create decisive effects,” maintaining the advantage that the United States has traditionally enjoyed, added Corley.
The Air Force could conduct an operation like Israel's successful air campaign against Iran's nuclear sites, military leadership and air defenses, but readiness issues would make it risky, airpower experts said. Limited spare parts and training, low mission capable rates and few flying hours would put a drag on USAF's…