Escorting Bombers a Possibility for Combat Commanders: Idea Gaining Traction in Air Force's Fighter Force as it Develops.
Dealing with the Unmanned Companions
The Air Force Global Strike Command is mulling over the possibility of long-range, autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs) as wingmen for its bombers. However, they're taking a wait-and-see approach, favoring the fighter force to test the concept first before officially integrating it into the long-range strike family, as stated by Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere on Dec. 5.
During a gathering hosted by AFA's Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, Bussiere broached the subject of CCAs, expressing curiosity about the potential benefits they could bring to long-range strike missions. For now, the plan doesn't include CCAs due to their limited range, making them less than ideal for long-haul escort duties.
The CCAs under development by Anduril Industries and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems are optimized for air-to-air action and not ideal for the sustained flights necessary to accompany bombers. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall initially showed interest in CCAs to supplement the bomber fleet back in 2021, but later expressed reservations about their cost-effectiveness.
Nevertheless, analysts still see potential for these unmanned drones to aid long-range strike operations.
Pondering the B-21 Fleet
Regarding the B-21 bomber program, Bussiere suggested that the security environment calls for more of the advanced capabilities offered by the new aircraft, prompting the need to reevaluate the program's size or rate of production.
There is analytical justification for a bomber fleet of 220 aircraft, with 75 being B-52Js, implying a fleet of 145 B-21s. However, Bussiere stated that the number may need to be reassessed based on the current security environment. He also mentioned the possibility of accelerating the program to deliver more B-21s each year, depending on directives from the Department of the Air Force, the Department of Defense, or Congress.
Expanding production capacity by adding another company to produce the jet is not Bussiere's preferred method, nor does he believe it would be the most efficient way to scale production. He suggested that opening up another production complex with the prime contractor, Northrop Grumman, might be a better approach.
However, Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin previously dismissed the idea of exceeding the planned 100 B-21s, stating that by the time they are all built, technological advancements will offer even better options.
Mobile Nuclear Forces?
When discussing the land-based leg of the nuclear triad, Bussiere mentioned the idea of making the next land-based ICBM mobile, a concept to improve survivability that was tested with the Peacekeeper missile in the 1980s. There have been debates over the decades about whether or not a mobile aspect should be part of the land-based triad. For now, such a policy decision hasn't been made.
In a nutshell, the Air Force is focusing on integrating advanced unmanned aircraft with its most advanced fighter platforms, with potential future applications for bombers. The B-21 bomber program is subject to reevaluation, considering the changing security environment and the advancing capabilities of Russia and China. As for land-based ICBMs, the military is open to the idea of mobility but hasn't decided to pursue it yet.
- The Air Force Global Strike Command is exploring the integration of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs) as escort drones for its bombers, but is taking a cautious approach, preferring the fighter force to test the concept before wide-scale adoption.
- Even though the CCAs under development by Anduril Industries and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems are optimized for air-to-air combat, analysts still see potential for these drones to aid in long-range strike operations.
- Regarding the B-21 bomber program, Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere suggested that the evolving security environment may necessitate reevaluating the program's size or rate of production, to accommodate the demand for more advanced aircraft.
- In terms of land-based Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs), the Air Force is considering the potential advantages of making the next generation mobile for improved survivability, as exemplified by the Peacekeeper missile, although a final decision has yet to be made.
