Reoptimization for Great Power Competition

GPC Key Decisions

USAF Case for Change

Air Force FAQ for Reoptimizing Great Power Competition

“We need these changes now; we are out of time to reoptimize our forces to meet the strategic challenges in a time of great power competition.”

~ Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall

The United States faces a time of consequence marked by significant shifts in the strategic environment. To remain ready, the U.S. Air Force must change.

In early 2024, the Department of the Air Force unveiled sweeping plans for reshaping, refocusing, and reoptimizing the Air Force and Space Force to ensure continued supremacy in their respective domains while better posturing the services to deter and, if necessary, prevail in an era of Great Power Competition. Through a series of 24 DAF-wide key decisions, four core areas which demand the Department’s attention will be addressed: Develop People, Generate Readiness, Project Power and Develop Capabilities.

Today, the Air Force once again finds itself at a critical juncture—an era of Great Power Competition marked by a new security environment, a rapidly evolving character of war, and a formidable competitor. This new era requires understanding its challenges and the attributes needed to succeed.

Embracing change is not a choice; it is a necessity. The Air Force must “reoptimize” into an enterprise prepared for high-end conflicts and long-term strategic competition.

Automatic Air Collision Avoidance System (Auto ACAS)

88th Air Base Wing

Video by Bryan S Ripple

July 18, 2018 | 6:48

Auto ACAS is designed to protect fighter pilots from mid-air collisions.

System Capabilities
• Does not interfere with air combat training, rejoins or close-in formation flight
• Adapts to quickly changing collision geometries from multiple threats
System Description
• F-16 initial integration uses modified Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation (ACMI)
pods for aircraft-to-aircraft communication
• Aircraft fire control radar can also be used if ACMI data is not available
• If a collision avoidance maneuver is required, Auto ACAS takes control of the aircraft via its
digital flight control system
• Auto ACAS-equipped aircraft on a potential collision course with other aircraft select
three top avoidance maneuvers from nine possible options:
1) Maintain current maneuver
2) Bunt
3) Roll and pull to one of 7 different bank angles
• Maneuvers are selected based on aircraft state, collision geometry, and accepted pilot
“rules of the road”
For non-Auto ACAS equipped aircraft, the
system generates a track file from ACMI pod or radar data and the Auto ACAS equipped
aircraft alone will maneuver to avoid the threat aircraft
• System returns aircraft control to the pilot when flight paths are clear
Fielding and Performance
• Auto ACAS was successfully tested through 10 simulation events, 2 Test Pilot School Test
Management Projects in FY12 & FY13 and through a flight test conducted by the Air Force
Test Center in Summer 2014 More