Reoptimization for Great Power Competition

GPC Key Decisions

USAF Case for Change

SecAF Memo

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.

NATO develops counter-drone technology (master)

Natochannel

Video by Courtesy

Oct. 6, 2019 | 1:22

NATO scientists are working on ways to help detect small UAVs or unmanned aerial vehicles, which can pose a security risk and cause major disruption.
Synopsis

NATO scientists are building up a signature database of small UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) to help nations develop drone detection systems and tracking algorithms. At a training centre in France, the group collected data on various models of mini and small drones in an urban environment. UAVs can pose a security risk and cause major disruption, as was seen at Gatwick Airport in London in December 2018. The airport was shut down for three days following reports of drone sightings close to the runway. Hundreds of flights had to be cancelled.
The research work has been carried out by NATO’s Science and Technology Organization (STO).

This footage includes shots of drones flying, various data-capturing equipment plus soundbites from Marc Châteauneuf, defence scientist, Defence Research and Development Canada.
The piece also includes archive footage from Thomson Reuters, showing Gatwick Airport.
Transcript

VISUAL DESCRIPTION

TEXT ON SCREEN
SMALL DRONES COULD POSE
A SECURITY THREAT TO NATO ALLIES

MARC CHÂTEAUNEUF
Defence scientist, Defence Research and Development Canada

Archive footage of a crowd and drones flying above a city

-SOUNDBITE-(ENGLISH)
MARC CHÂTEAUNEUF, DEFENCE SCIENTIST, DEFENCE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CANADA

“We often see that on TVs where you've got a prime minister or an important person doing a speech and you see a small drone flying around. You don't know if it's really a threat or is it just someone who wants to take a picture. But you always have to assume it could be a threat.”

TEXT ON SCREEN

NATO SCIENTISTS
ARE BUILDING A DATABASE
OF DRONE SIGNATURES

TO MAKE THEM EASIER TO DETECT

-SOUNDBITE-(ENGLISH)
MARC CHÂTEAUNEUF, DEFENCE SCIENTIST, DEFENCE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CANADA

“The threat that in the military we are facing is either the drone is dropping an explosive or they’re using drones for a surveillance system. So, you want to detect them before they actually see you.”

Archive footage of a drone dropping explosives

“The problem with drones is that they are everywhere now.

“You heard about the Gatwick incident where the airport was shut down, I think for two days, because there was supposedly a drone flying close.

It can be very dangerous for airplanes flying around.”

Footage of a commercial drone

TEXT ON SCREEN
DECEMBER 2018

Archive footage of Gatwick Airport

TEXT ON SCREEN
ALLIES WILL BE
ABLE TO USE THE DATABASE

TO DEVELOP THEIR OWN
DEFENCE AGAINST DRONES

“Having a drone detection system will help to detect the drones and solve the problem this way.”

TEXT ON SCREEN

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