A new generation of precision weapons is needed to enhance modern strike capability and deter potential aggressors. “We need fifth-generation weapons to go with our fifth-generation Air Force,” said Gen. Mark D. Kelly, head of Air Combat Command, in October 2021, counting such munitions among his top five priorities.
March 2023
Vol. 106, No. 3
Continued aggressive attacks by Russia have kept the flow of military aid from the west rising and the sophistication of the weapons on offer growing.
USAF Bursts Chinese Surveillance Balloon, as Nation Comes to Grips With an Ever-More Assertive People’s Republic.
Autonomy, Collaboration, and Experimentation
The timeline for competition between the U.S. and China to boil over into conflict could be much closer to us than most think.
Honorary Promotions
“Tombstone promotions” first appeared at the turn of the 20th century and were not strictly honorary at their inception. Rather, these end-of-career promotions allowed officers to retire with the rank and pay of the next higher grade than the highest one they held on Active duty.
Editorial: Myth Busting
All the best satellite intelligence and ground-based radars in the world can still miss threats if they don’t know what they’re looking for.
Strategy & Policy: Accelerate Weapons Testing Or … Fail?
DOT&E Director Nickolas H. Guertin said the test enterprise must be reimagined, so weapons are no longer tested in isolation.
World: The Pacific
WORLD: The Pacific: Latest Bomber Task Force Mission; Additional U.S. bases in the Philippines.
World: Space Force
WORLD: Space Force: C-Notes from Saltzman; Satellite ground systems vulnerable to attack; Military leaders look to streamline acquisition.
World: Moderniztion
WORLD: New KC-46s coming ... with problems in tow; Air Force generals concerns over modernization; Hinote wants faster technology development.
World: International Affairs
WORLD: Juniper Oak 2023 Exercise; Russia remains an Arctic threat.
Letters
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Faces of the Force
Tell us who you think we should highlight here. Write to airandspaceforces@afa.org.
Verbatim
A collection of quotes on airpower, spacepower, and national security issues.
AFA In Action: Finding ‘Gold’ and Funding STEM
Since 2020, The Air & Space Forces Association has presented three young women with the Dr. Sydell Perlmutter Gold Memorial Scholarship, an award of $5,000 per year for young women pursuing degrees in STEM.
AFA in Action: AFA Texoma’s Tribute to Staff Sgt. John Rucker, the Last Enlisted Airman Killed in Vietnam
Hundreds, mostly Vietnam-era veterans and their families, traveled to Linden for the ceremony which honored their service during the war while specially memorializing one local Airman who made the ultimate sacrifice 50 years ago.
