Air Force Vanguards
Abstract
This Program uses a deliberate, data-driven strategy-to-investment approach to develop and deliver transformational operational capabilities through advanced technology solutions. These capabilities focus on the DAF Operational Imperatives and five strategic capabilities: Global Persistent Awareness; Resilient Information Sharing; Rapid, Effective Decision-Making; Complexity, Unpredictability, and Mass; and Speed and Reach of Disruption and Lethality. A multi-disciplinary WARfighter - TECHnologist (WARTECH) process and analytics are used to understand and validate Department of the Air Force (DAF) Future Force priorities. Teams examine emerging technologies and recommend those which could produce new transformational capabilities. This approach allows the DAF to rapidly respond to emerging S&T opportunities within the budget cycle. Technologies needing concept refinement become Vanguard Pathfinders to better define capability concepts. Current Vanguard Pathfinders are Integrated Electronic Warfare, Integrated Networks, Advanced Emulation for Test and Training, and Enabling Technology for Agile Basing. Promising technologies with defined concepts are accelerated and matured as Vanguard Prospects. The DAF Technology Executive Officer partners with Air Force Futures (A5/7), USSF (CTIO, USSF/S5B), and the Deputy Assistant Secretary (Science, Technology and Engineering) to identify these technologies. Current Vanguard Prospects are Resolute Sentry, Fight Tonight, Long Range Kill Chains, and Area Effects Demonstration. Matured technologies evolve into integrated system-of-systems concepts with transition partners and fielding strategies, known as Vanguard Programs. Vanguard Programs - high risk by design - are focused, priority initiatives with enterprise commitment aiming to answer specific questions to inform future acquisition programs, identify gaps, and areas for additional research. They are commissioned by the Under Secretary of the Air Force, Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force, and Vice Chief of Space Operations as a Department of the Air Force (DAF). The current Vanguard Programs are Navigation Technology Satellite 3 (NTS-3) and Rocket Cargo. NTS-3 will demonstrate technologies and tactics involving space, control, and user equipment for advanced satellite navigation, in order to provide robust and resilient, agile augmentation to the GPS system. Rocket Cargo will demonstrate new trajectories and ways to fly large rockets, the ability to land rockets at austere locations, and design & test an ejectable pod for air drop. This program is in Budget Activity 3, Advanced Technology Development because this budget activity includes development of subsystems and components and efforts to integrate subsystems and components into system prototypes for field experiments and/or tests in a simulated environment. This program is in Budget Activity 3, Advanced Technology Development because this budget activity includes development of subsystems and components and efforts to integrate subsystems and components into system prototypes for field experiments and/or tests in a simulated environment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2024
- Source ID
- 630320_0603032F_3_3600_PB_2024
Related Documents
- Root: Future AF Integrated Technology Demos
- Child Accomplishment: WARTECH
- Child Accomplishment: Navigation Technology Satellite 3 (NTS-3)
- Child Accomplishment: Skyborg
- Child Accomplishment: Golden Horde
- Child Accomplishment: Rocket Cargo
- Child Accomplishment: Vanguard Prospect - Resolute Sentry
- Child Accomplishment: Vanguard Prospect - Long Range Kill Chain
- Child Accomplishment: Vanguard Prospect - Area Effects Demonstration
- Child Accomplishment: Vanguard Prospect - Fight Tonight
- Child Accomplishment: Analysis for Emerging Vanguard Pipeline
- Child Accomplishment: Vanguard Pathfinder - Integrated Electronic Warfare
- Child Accomplishment: Vanguard Pathfinder - Integrated Networks
- Child Accomplishment: Vanguard Pathfinder - Enabling Technology for Agile Basing
- Child Accomplishment: Vanguard Pathfinder - Advanced Emulation for Test and Training