The Future of USAF Airborne Warning and Control

<p>Several conceptual approaches for next generation air surveillance and control platforms are: (1) space-based radar systems (2) radar unmanned aerial vehicles (3) traditional manned AWACS/JSTARS-like platforms and (4) increased sensor capabilities on individual tactical (fighter) assets such as internal 360 degree-coverage radars. The present focus of related literature seems to be technological advantage/cost rather than role enhancement and system survivability as they apply to the future threat. This paper focuses on the evolving role and capabilities of the USAF airborne warning and control platform in the past and the role and projected upgrades in capabilities of the platform in the near future (including joint and international capability comparisons). Last it presents several next-generation conceptual platforms and some of their core strengths and weaknesses-including potential survivability problems. Based upon this discussion the author proposes that the combination of at least two platforms one at the strategic and the other at the operational/tactical will best ensure redundancy survivability and synergy to meet air surveillance and control requirements into the next century.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p>