In remarks last week as a Washington aerospace and defense conference, Deputy Defense Secretary William Lynn talked about the Pentagon’s four current imperatives. First is the “full institutionalization” of the ability to fight irregular wars and defeat unconventional threats. Second is that the nation must continue to invest in “fourth and fifth generation tactical aircraft”—absent buying any more than 187 F-22s, of course—to maintain its air superiority in the face of the proliferation of modern jammers, sensors, radars, and anti-aircraft weapons. Third, as we reported above (Lynn Emphasizes LRS Importance) is the next long range strike capability. And, fourth is to ensure access to space by reducing vulnerability of space based assets to attack and disruption. Lynn added that the ability to “augment and reconstitute” critical space platforms and capabilities will be a key tenet of the Administration’s space strategy going forward.
The Air Force is placing Air Combat Command in charge of teaching combat tactics to fighter and remotely-piloted aircraft units, according to a May 12 announcement. Beginning this summer, the service will reassign the formal training units for the F-35, F-16, and MQ-9 from Air Education and Training Command to…