An Air Force Vision for UAVs: The Air Force has released a new 34-page document intended to guide the development and integration of its unmanned aerial vehicle fleet for the next quarter century. Among its many recommendations is the need to avoid “stovepiping” of the huge volume of data “collected and downloaded simultaneously” to ensure it gets to the warfighter. The Air Force also believes that DOD needs new procedures to request and receive UAV support and offers one option—“mimic requests for close air support,” making use of a ground unit’s battlefield airmen. Other recommendations include developing common terminology, funding science and technology efforts, and integrating UAVs with manned and space platforms.
Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, nominee to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Defense Department needs to upgrade its electronic warfare capability and its EW training ranges; just as his predecessor said at his own confirmation hearing.