The Air Force already is the one most often called for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance and mobility airlift operations in Africa, but there could be an increased demand for airpower in the future, said Gen. Frank Gorenc, commander of US Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa, at ASC15 on Sept. 16. “Africa has a lot of challenges that will need to be addressed? that could eventually evolve into a national security problem for us,” he said. NATO allies are concerned about migration from the continent, in addition to issues with groups such as Boko Haram, which leads US Africa Command to ask for more US Air Force assets on the continent. In addition, USAF also participates in humanitarian response missions, such as airlift support for nongovernmental agencies following the Ebola outbreak last year. USAFE has demonstrated its capability to respond to these situations, but the move of terrorist groups into power vacuums on the continent could mean the Air Force will be in need beyond just humanitarian responses, Gorenc said.
General Atomics, the maker of one of the Air Force’s first Collaborative Combat Aircraft, has ambitious plans for its family of semi-autonomous drones beyond the FQ-42, including a flying-wing aircraft capable of carrying out both reconnaissance and strike missions. Meanwhile, the Air Force Research Laboratory announced a new program to…