The Missions of the United States Air Force in the 22nd Century
Abstract
This study identifies global, environmental, socio-political, technological and military trends that may shape the USAF in the next 100 years. It employs the futures study tools of Environmental Scanning, Trend Analysis, Cross-Impact Analysis, a Delphi Poll, a State of the Futures Index (SOFI), a Coates Futures Diagram and Scenarios. The Scenarios present a Worst Case, Best Case and Most Likely Case of the world and their influence on the USAF at the beginning of the 22nd century. The most important trends potentially affecting one or more of these Scenarios are the preeminence of the cyber domain, the increasing importance of the high ground of space, fossil-fuel depletion and the pervasiveness and fusion of genetics, robotics, information technology and nanotechnology to bring about unparalleled machine and human performance. The study concluded that the most important USAF mission at turn of the century will be cyber-warfare, followed by information operations, space control, space force enhancement, surveillance and reconnaissance. The study provides nine recommendations focused on guiding the USAF toward the Best Case Future.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA539927
Entities
People
- Julian M. Chesnutt