http://www.xp.hq.af.mil/xpx/

30 • May • 03
The U.S. military is adapting to profound changes in the nature of conflict and the

conduct of warfare brought about by dramatic advances in technology and by the new

international security environment of the post-Cold War era. More than ever, the U.S.

military must transform to preserve its current advantages, which are in danger of eroding

in the face of emerging security threats.

The Air Force is pursuing and adopting new operational concepts, organizational changes,

and advanced technologies to significantly improve our warfighting capabilities in support

of the global vigilance, reach, and power visions. Changes are required in air and space

capabilities, and in how the Air Force thinks about war, requiring transformation of our

culture, organization, training, and doctrine. This pamphlet briefly highlights the Air

Force’s ongoing transformation.

We invite you to join the continuing journey of Air Force transformation.

JAMES G. ROCHE

Secretary of the Air Force

JOHN P. JUMPER

General, USAF

Chief of Staff
AIR FORCE

transformation...

1

1900 1920

Wright

Brothers

Flight

Kitty Hawk

Dec. 17, 1903

Jet

Aircraft

Centrifugal

Flow

Turbojet

Army

Air Forces

Satellite

Communications 

Long

Distance

Tanker

Capability

ATLAS

D/E

Laser Guided

Bomb

Paveway

F-117

Stealth

GPS

Guidance

Concept

Demo

AWACS

Airborne

Surveillance

Air Combat

and

Air Mobility

Commands

formed

(SAC, TAC, MAC

stand down)

F/A-22

AEF

Norden

Bombsight

War Broadened

Use of Airpower 

Billy Mitchell

on Air Power

Sinks Battleship

Ostfriesland

1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010

United

States

Air Force

USAF

formed

X-1

Breaks the

sound

barrier

“...The attacks of September 11th make

transforming the department even more

urgent, because they have awakened us to

a fundamental truth that we have entered

a new security environment, possibly the

most dangerous the world has known.”

DONALD RUMSFELD

Secretary of Defense

Our Heritage......Our Culture......Our Future......

... a process by which the Air Force achieves and

maintains advantage through changes in

Operational Concepts

Organizations

and/or

Technologies

that significantly improve its warfighting capabilities or

ability to meet the demands of a

changing security environment

Our Definition

2
AIR FORCE

transformation...

3

“Transformation is not a term; it is a philosophy—a predisposition to exploring

adaptations of existing and new systems, doctrine and organizations. It has been a

part of the Air Force for decades. Transformation is not outlining new programs or

things to buy. Rather it is an approach to developing capabilities and exploring new

concepts of operation that allow us to be truly relevant in the era in which we find

ourselves, and for years to come.”

4

JAMES G. ROCHE

Secretary of the Air Force

A Continuing Process

Transformation is a continuous process that

focuses on the needs of the joint warfighter.

Meaningful transformation must involve

integration with other Services and nonmilitary elements of national power.

However, not all change is transformational.

• The process begins with Joint

Warfighters analyzing the joint

operational environment to determine

Desired Effects

• The Air Force explores and implements

solutions for desired effects via:

Air Force Conops:

Provide the long-term roadmaps to

securing the right capabilities at the right

time and place for the joint warfighter

Constant Innovation:

Identify new, sometimes revolutionary,

operational concepts through Battlelabs,

Wargames, Experiments, Exercises,

Advanced Technology Demonstrations,

and Advanced Concept Technology

Demonstrations

• This will produce transformational

changes in Operational Concepts,

Organizations, and/or New Technologies

that are incorporated into deploying forces,

our Air Expeditionary Forces (AEF)
AIR FORCE

transformation...

5 6

Implementing Change

“Maintaining our edge as the preeminent Air and Space

Force in the world, providing America’s asymmetric

advantage for protecting our national interests.”

JOHN P. JUMPER

General, USAF

Chief of Staff

The Air Force must modify its culture to be

conducive to transformation and adapt as

necessary. However, it may not be possible,

necessary, or desirable to transform the entire

force at once, especially if transformation

comes at the cost of our current operations and

readiness.

• To institutionalize transformational

changes, the Air Force will capitalize on its

three Core Competencies:

Developing Airmen

The heart of combat capability. The

ultimate source of air and space combat

capability resides in the men and

women of the Air Force. Our first

priority is ensuring they receive the

precise education, training, and professional development necessary to provide a quality edge second to none.

Integrating Operations

Maximizing combat capabilities. Our

inherent ability to envision, experiment, and ultimately execute the

union of a myriad of platforms and

people into a greater synergistic

whole is pivotal to maximizing air and

space power in a joint warfighting

environment.

Technology-toWarfighting

The tools of combat capability. The

Air Force nurtures and promotes its

ability to translate vision into operational capabilities in order to prevail

in conflict and avert technological

surprise.

• These Core Competencies are the foundation of our success and will ensure we

remain dominant in air and space for years

to come
AIR FORCE

transformation...

7

The Air Force will continue to transform to

develop and field capabilities necessary to

sustain our advantages. We will exploit

these advantages in the joint warfight and

maintain our edge in the face of a changing

security environment. The distinctive

capabilities that the Air Force delivers to the

joint battlespace include:

Information Superiority...

the ability to control and exploit information to

our Nation’s advantage ensuring decision

dominance

Air and Space Superiority...

the ability to control what moves through air

and space to ensure freedom from attack and

freedom to attack

Precision Engagement...

the ability to deliver desired effects with

minimal risk and collateral damage to deny

sanctuary to the enemy

Global Attack...

the ability to engage adversary targets

anywhere, anytime to hold any adversary at risk

Rapid Global Mobility...

the ability to rapidly position joint forces

anywhere in the world to ensure

unprecedented responsiveness

Agile Combat Support...

the ability to sustain responsive, persistent,

and effective combat operations

Goals

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1

2

3

4

5

6

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To transform...the Air

Force is pursuing the

following 16 capabilities.

Some are capabilities we

currently do not have,

while others require

significant improvements

to existing capabilities.

They are arranged

according to the 6

Air Force distinctive

capabilities. The nature

and details of these

capabilities and future

CONOPS are subject to

change as the new

CONOPS mature.

Transformational

Capabilities

Information Superiority:

Machine-to-machine interface of command and control,

intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C2ISR) systems

through the horizontal integration of manned, unmanned, air,

surface, information and space systems to provide executable,

decision-quality knowledge to the commander in near real-time

from anywhere, thereby enabling force application in single-digit

minutes from the decision to engage

Reliable, secure bandwidth and global data link integration on

all air and space platforms with fusion to provide commanders

clear, coherent, real-time pictures of the global battlespace

Real-time, deep-look, target-quality information anywhere on

Earth that delivers continuous battle space surveillance, enabling

24/7 time-critical targeting and predictive battlespace awareness

Ensured use of the information domain via defensive information

warfare (IW)

The ability to deny an adversary these same capabilities via

offensive IW

Air and Space Superiority:

The ability to conduct persistent stealthy operations in order to

penetrate and defeat enemy air defenses and clear the path for

follow-on forces

The ability to conduct effective and persistent air-to-ground

operations beyond the range of enemy defenses under adverse

weather conditions, 24/7

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The ability to protect vital space assets

The ability to deny an adversary access to

space

The ability to rapidly launch and operate

new space vehicles or refuel and repair

existing vehicles

The ability to detect ballistic missile

launches and airborne cruise missiles and

to destroy both in flight

Precision

Engagement:

The ability to conduct high volume attacks

with significantly fewer platforms

The ability to achieve specific, tailored

effects on a target, short of total destruction

Global Attack:

The ability to attack any target, any place,

at any time from anywhere rapidly,

precisely, and persistently

Rapid Global

Mobility:

The ability to rapidly establish an air-bridge

and move military capability in support of

operations anywhere in the world under any

conditions

Agile Combat

Support:

Significantly lighter, leaner, and faster

combat support to enable responsive,

persistent, and effective combat operations

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9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

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TRANSFORMATION

where we stand

1 Organizations

11

The process of transformation begins and ends with our people. Our

people become the means to tailor our organizations, enhance

concepts, and evolve technology. The Air Force is taking actions to

ensure that its culture is conducive to transformation by adapting its

organizations to institutionalize a culture that facilitates change.

Several current efforts constitute the backbone of continuous cultural

adaptation:

Air and Space Expeditionary Force

The AEF construct is transforming the Air Force into a rotational

and effects-based force capable of rapidly responding to a variety

of threats while accommodating the high operational tempo of

today’s contingency environment.

Future Total Force

The Air Force is transforming the way it integrates the Air National

Guard, Air Force Reserve and civilian force to produce greater

capability more efficiently. A key effort is to form blended wings

from two or more components into a single wing with a single

commander.

Force Development

The Air Force is developing personnel programs to produce air and space

warriors with a total command of their functional area specialties. It is

also developing educational programs that diversify the force ensuring

correct skills are paired with Air Force requirements.

Warfighting

Integration Deputate

The Chief of Staff of the Air Force created

the Deputy Chief of Staff for Integration. It

will focus on the integration of manned,

unmanned and space platforms to enhance

joint and coalition warfighting.

Directorate of

Homeland Security

The FY04 Defense Planning Guidance

identified homeland security as a top DoD

priority and a key objective for

transformation. In response, the Chief of

Staff of the Air Force established the

Directorate of Homeland Security in January

2002, reporting to the Deputy Chief of Staff

for Air and Space Operations.

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TRANSFORMATION

where we stand

2 Operational Concepts

CONOPS and new technology coupled with newly-tailored

organizations will yield a near order of magnitude increase in

combat effectiveness. This is transformation! The Chief of Staff of

the Air Force describes the following CONOPS as the building

blocks of transformation. They will transform all future Air Force

warfighting operations. In addition to serving as a roadmap for

operators, these CONOPS will form the basis for resource allocation,

future system acquisitions, and Program Objective Memorandum

submissions. They will allow the Air Force to support the Joint

Forces Commander through the application of air and space power,

organized into Air Expeditionary Task Forces (AETF). Each AETF

will use capabilities from the following six CONOPS to deliver

desired battlefield effects.

Air and Space Expeditionary

The overarching context that identifies and sequences distinctive

capabilities and broad-based functions that air and space power

provide the Joint Force Commander to generate desired effects to

help achieve defense strategy goals.

Global Strike

Employs joint power-projection capabilities to engage anti-access and

high-value targets, gain access to denied battlespace, and maintain

13 battlespace access for all required joint/coalition follow-on operations.

Space and C4ISR

Harnesses horizontal integration of manned,

unmanned, and space systems to provide

persistent situation awareness and executable

decision-quality information to the Joint

Force Commander.

Global Response

Combines intelligence and strike systems to

attack fleeting or emergent, high-value or

high-risk targets by surgically applying air

and space power in a narrow window of

opportunity, anywhere on the globe, within

hours.

Homeland Security

Leverages Air Force capabilities with joint

and interagency efforts to prevent, protect,

and respond to threats against our homeland -

whether within or beyond U.S. territories.

Nuclear Response

Provides the deterrent “umbrella” under

which conventional forces operate, and, if

deterrence fails, avails a rapid scalable

response.

Global Mobility

Provides regional combatant commanders

with the planning, C2, and operations

capabilities to enable rapid, timely, and

effective projection, employment, and

sustainment of U.S. power in support of U.S.

global interests - precision delivery for

operational effects.

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where we stand

3 New Technologies

TRANSFORMATION

Advances in technology, combined with changes in operational

concepts and organizations, can produce some of the most visible

Air Force transformations. The new technologies currently under

development will continue to enable astonishing advances in

future Air Force capabilities. While it is impossible to succinctly

identify every new technology in this publication, most fall under

one of the following categories:

Information

One of the Nation’s best assets is its information superiority. The

Air Force will exploit this asset to provide an overwhelming

advantage in every field of battle. Current programs being

developed include Space Based Radar, remotely piloted aircraft,

“Smart Tanker,” Multi-sensor Command and Control Aircraft,

laser communications, Single Integrated Air Picture and GPS III.

Directed Energy

Directed energy weapons will be capable of instantly engaging

targets to produce lethal or non-lethal results. They will deliver

specific, tailored effects on an enemy. Current systems under

development include the Airborne Laser, Advanced Tactical

Laser, and the Active Denial System.

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Standoff

Standoff capabilities will counter enemy antiaccess strategies and enable U.S. aircraft to

conduct all-weather, 24/7 air-to-ground

operations beyond the range of enemy

integrated air defenses. Current platforms

under development include the Joint Air to

Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range,

Hypersonic Standoff Weapon, and Advanced

Standoff Cruise Missile.

Precision

Today’s precision weapons require only one

weapon to strike one aim point. The next step

will be the ability to conduct higher volume

precision attacks with fewer platforms. Current

systems under development include the Small

Diameter Bomb and Wide Area Search

Autonomous Attack Miniature Munition.

Stealth

Stealthy aircraft can fly largely undetected in

hostile airspace and penetrate advanced air

defenses. Stealth allows increased

survivability for force packages. Platforms

currently under development provide the joint

warfighter a persistent stealth capability

include the F/A-22, and X-45 remotely

piloted aircraft.

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the future battlefield

integrating all services to deliver overwhelming

combat power to the joint battlefield
The Nation’s Edge

The Air Force will play a key role in achieving our national Defense

Strategy goals. Air Force transformation will ensure the development of a

broad portfolio of capabilities that will:

• Assure allies and friends by demonstrating the U.S. national resolve

and military capability to defend and advance common interests

• Dissuade adversaries from developing threatening forces or ambitions,

shaping the future military competition in ways that are advantageous

to the United States and complicate planning operations of adversaries

• Deterring aggression and countering coercion against the United States,

its allies and friends in critical areas of the world by developing and

maintaining the capability to swiftly defeat attacks with only modest

reinforcements

• Decisively defeat an adversary at the time, place and in the manner of

our choosing, forcing adversaries to reevaluate their objectives and

capabilities

“While the threats to America have changed, the need for

victory has not. We are fighting shadowy, entrenched enemies—

enemies using the tools of terror and guerrilla war—yet we are

finding new tactics and new weapons systems to attack and

defeat them. This revolution in our military is only beginning,

and it promises to change the face of battle.”

GEORGE W. BUSH

President of the United States

THE EDGE Air Force Transformation was produced by XPXT • Design and Artwork - 11CS/SCUS Media Services