Robotic air vehicles are beginning to replace some of the Air Force's manned combat aircraft. Soon, they will be handling a major share of the service's strike mission. The first steps in this transition already have been taken in the field of fighter-class aircraft. Classified projects now in development seem sure to cut into the manned medium and heavy bomber roles, as well.
An overview of the U.S. Air Force's space situational awareness efforts which strive to "enhance its knowledge of what's in orbit, as well as its ability to know if American space systems are under attack."
The Air Force?with mounting urgency?is seeking new ways to protect and preserve the nation?s assets in space. In the minds of senior service leaders, it?s no longer a question of whether the so-called ?Space Control? mission is necessary, only how soon it will have to be performed."
Lasers as weapons are in the final stages of development, and plans for their integration into U.S. combat forces are proceeding. The U.S. military is also planning substantial increases in science and technology funding for basic laser research that could enable whole new classes of small laser systems with tactically significant power before 2020.
The recommendations of a blue-ribbon panel on military space, if implemented, could cause the Air Force to revisit its initiative to merge air and space operations into a seamless aerospace continuum, set the stage for creation of a "Space Corps" within the Air Force in this decade, and possibly lead to the formation of an independent space service in the not-too-distant future.
The US space industry, though relatively healthy at the moment, is perched on the edge of what could turn into a drastic decline unless the nation takes steps to revitalize it, change its course, and improve its profitability, warned Gen. Thomas S. Moorman Jr., the retired former vice chief of staff of the Air Force and commander of Air Force Space Command.
The Pentagon is pursuing Unmanned Air Vehicles as a way of reducing the exposure of pilots to hostile fire and providing a more affordable and effective way to attack certain targets.