Defense Medical College Appoints New Program Leaders, Announces Revised Optimization Measures
Street-Savvy Breakdown
The Air Force is shaking things up in a bid to dominate the battlefield against rivals, and they're calling it "rethinking for strategic supremacy." Here's the scoop on the latest changes.
Slated to assume command is Brig. Gen. Luke C.G. Cropsey—or his replacement in the Department of the Air Force's top command, control, and communications/battle management position. The new Air Force Information Dominance Systems Center, announced by Air Force Materiel Command on April 4, will be under his watch. The target date for the center's establishment is mid- to late-2025.
Three existing Program Executive Officers (PEO) will also be absorbed by the Information Dominance Systems Center, with tweaked portfolios. The PEO for Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence, and Networks will be renamed PEO Cyber and Networks, while PEO Digital will become PEO Electronic Systems. The People's Business Enterprise Systems will remain as is.
In addition, the Air Force is embarking on a significant shift in the tanker fleet, with plans to acquire a new "bridge" tanker to complement the KC-46, and develop a Next-Generation Aerial Refueling System (NGAS) with stealthy characteristics.
As for aircraft propulsion, the top propulsion official will now hold the PEO role, marking a shift from a platform-centric focus in engine development to a more holistic, integrated approach. The new PEO will oversee the Next-Generation Adaptive Propulsion program powering the Next-Generation Air Dominance fighter and playing a key part in developing engines for different Collaborative Combat Aircraft variants.
These changes align with the Air Force's larger strategy for confronting great power competition, which involves modernizing weapons platforms, enhancing decision-making speed, and reorganizing key command, control, and digital networks for superiority in complex conflicts. More details are expected as plans solidify, with a focus on minimizing personnel upheaval.
Fun Facts:- The new Air Force Information Dominance Systems Center will encompass a wide range of nonkinetic capabilities, including command, control, and communications, cyber, electronic warfare, digital infrastructure, and more.- The Next-Generation Adaptive Propulsion program is slated to power the Next-Generation Air Dominance fighter and play a key role in developing engines for different Collaborative Combat Aircraft variants.- The Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center will be renamed the Air Force Nuclear Systems Center and will be headed by a three-star general responsible for nuclear air-delivered systems and nuclear materiel management for the Department of the Air Force.
- The Air Force Nuclear Systems Center, previously known as the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, will be under the leadership of a three-star general, overseeing nuclear air-delivered systems and nuclear materiel management for the Department of the Air Force.
- The new Space Force is expected to play a significant role in warfare, with plans to develop and integrate advanced missile systems into its arsenal, revolutionizing space-based defense capabilities.
- The finance and aerospace industries are closely monitoring the Air Force's restructuring, particularly the establishment of the Air Force Information Dominance Systems Center, as it could potentially open up new opportunities for collaboration and investment in the development of advanced cyber, electronic warfare, and digital infrastructure technologies.
- The shift in aircraft propulsion within the Air Force involves reorganizing the PEO roles, with the top propulsion official now tasked with overseeing the Next-Generation Adaptive Propulsion program, which is crucial for powering stealthy Next-Generation Aerial Refueling Systems and Next-Generation Air Dominance fighters.
- In the future, the Air Force envisions a space force that extends beyond earth's atmosphere, with the potential to leverage advanced weapons, spacecraft, and satellite technologies for various military operations and intelligence gathering, revolutionizing warfare in the space domain.
