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Department of Defense Releases its 2022 Strategic Reviews – National Defense Strategy, Nuclear Posture Review, and Missile Defense Review
Today, the Department of Defense released the unclassified National Defense Strategy (NDS), Nuclear Posture Review (NPR), and Missile Defense Review (MDR).
For the first time in its history, the Department conducted all major strategic reviews in an integrated way, aligned with the National Security Strategy. By weaving these documents together, the entire Department is matching resources to goals.
The 2022 NDS sets the Department’s strategic direction and priorities for the Joint Force, identifying how the U.S. military will meet growing threats to U.S. national security interests and to a stable and open international system. The 2022 NDS identifies four top-level defense priorities that the Department must pursue to strengthen deterrence:
- Defending the homeland, paced to the growing multi-domain threat posed by the People’s Republic of China (PRC);
- Deterring strategic attacks against the United States, Allies, and partners;
- Deterring aggression, while being prepared to prevail in conflict when necessary – prioritizing the PRC challenge in the Indo-Pacific region, then the Russia challenge in Europe, and;
- Building a resilient Joint Force and defense ecosystem.
The 2022 NDS also identifies three ways in which the Department will achieve its priorities – integrated deterrence, campaigning, and building enduring advantage.
The 2022 NPR reaffirms that as long as nuclear weapons exist, the fundamental role of U.S. nuclear weapons is to deter nuclear attack on the United States, our Allies, and our partners. The United States would only consider the use of nuclear weapons in extreme circumstances to defend the vital interests of the United States or its Allies and partners. The NPR takes a comprehensive and balanced approach to defending vital national security interests and reducing nuclear risks while affirming a continuing commitment to a safe, secure, and effective nuclear deterrent and strong and credible extended deterrence.
The 2022 MDR underscores that missile defense contributes to integrated deterrence by undermining a potential foe’s confidence in its ability to mount a successful attack.
Information on the strategic reviews can be found at https://www.defense.gov/National-Defense-Strategy/ .
The National Defense Strategy, Nuclear Posture Review, and Missile Defense Review can be found at https://www.defense.gov/News/Publications/ .
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NDAA for Fiscal Year 2024 Shapes Future Air Force Fleet, Balancing Retirements with Advanced Capabilities
T he U.S. Air Force finds itself at a crossroads, tasked with balancing the retirement of legacy aircraft with the advancement of next-generation capabilities. On December 22, 2023, President Joe Biden signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024, a sweeping piece of legislation that mandates critical changes to the Air Force’s fleet management strategy.
The NDAA, a result of rigorous congressional scrutiny, injects a dose of cautious pragmatism into the Air Force’s plans to retire a host of its older aircraft. In particular, the Air Force’s intention to retire a substantial number of F-15E Strike Eagles has been met with compromise. Congress has capped the retirement of these aircraft at 68, significantly less than the 119 the Air Force initially sought to divest. Lawmakers insist on a detailed account of the investments in each F-15E and F-16C/D slated for retirement, as well as an estimation of their remaining service lives. The congressional report celebrates the equitable distribution of the newer F-15EX across active and reserve components but underscores concerns regarding the adequacy of tactical fighter capacity to meet combatant commander requirements.
The NDAA also maintains a legislative barrier that prevents the Air Force from retiring its older F-22 Raptors. Although the Air Force deems the 32 Block 20 F-22s prohibitively expensive to upgrade for combat-readiness, Congress counters this by highlighting the risk of reducing the available number of fifth-generation fighters for combat missions. Consequently, these aircraft will continue to serve, albeit in training roles.
Efforts to renew the fleet do not end with these restrictions. The NDAA lays out a framework for the incorporation of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs), often referred to as drone wingmen, and further development of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program. By April 1, 2024, the Air Force is required to present a 12-year strategic plan for its tactical aircraft force, including plans to augment or replace manned fighters with these advanced unmanned systems.
In an interesting development, while blocking several other retirements, Congress has granted permission for the retirement of additional A-10 Warthogs. This decision is tied to a report due six months post-retirement detailing how the Air Force will continue to carry out missions typically associated with the A-10, such as close air support and combat search and rescue.
The NDAA also touches on other critical aspects of the Air Force’s future force structure. It prohibits any further retirement of the E-3 AWACS fleet beyond the existing 16 aircraft and halts reductions in the KC-135 tanker fleet. Additionally, it demands a detailed plan on the future of the HH-60W Jolly Green II combat rescue helicopter production line, hinting at Congress’s desire to preserve this production capacity.
Relevant articles:
– Congress Poised to Pump Brakes on Fighter Retirements , Air & Space Forces Magazine
– Statement from President Joe Biden on H.R. 2670, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 , whitehouse.gov
– New in 2024: With first B-21 flight done, Northrop eyes next contract , airforcetimes.com
– Defense bill would let Air Force retire A-10s, F-15s — but not F-22s , Defense News, Dec 7, 2023
Air Force Strategy
Air Force Strategy (AFSTRAT) draws from the Chief of Air Force’s strategic assessment upon assuming command of Air Force, the Chief’s Intent, the 2020 Defence Strategic Update and Defence Planning Guidance 20/21 .
AFSTRAT 2020 will outline the five Lines of Effort, and the subsequent strategic directions associated with Integrated Air and Space Power for the Joint Force.
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AFIMSC released an updated strategic plan for 2022, outlining priorities and associated goals the center is pursuing to optimize delivery of installation and mission support to the Air Force and Space Force. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Jim Martinez)
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Air Force Strategy (AFSTRAT) draws from the Chief of Air Force's strategic assessment upon assuming command of Air Force, the Chief's Intent, the 2020 Defence Strategic Update and Defence Planning Guidance 20/21.. AFSTRAT 2020 will outline the five Lines of Effort, and the subsequent strategic directions associated with Integrated Air and Space Power for the Joint Force.