During his Feb. 17 meeting with defense reporters (see above), the Air Force’s top uniformed official, Gen. Norton Schwartz, discussed the Air Force’s commitment to the joint fight, including making “some adjustments” to its existing force mix, if necessary. In “Analytically Driven,” Daily Report senior editor Michael Sirak covers the Chief’s views on joint support, the growth of intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance capability, the need to demolish “long-held beliefs” on the number of F-22s, and the real “demand signal” for additional airmen.
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.