Air Force Magazine – July-August 2019

JULY/AUGUST AIRFORCEMAG.COM

Publisher Bruce A. Wright Editor in Chief Tobias Naegele

Managing Editor Juliette Kelsey Chagnon Editorial Director John A. Tirpak News Editor Amy McCullough Assistant Managing Editor Chequita Wood Senior Designer Dashton Parham Pentagon Editor Brian W. Everstine Digital Platforms Editor Jennifer-Leigh Oprihory Senior Editor Rachel S. Cohen Production Manager Eric Chang Lee Photo Editor Mike Tsukamoto

Contributors John T. Correll, David A. Deptula, Robert S. Dud- ney, Lawrence A. Stutzreim, Heather Penney

An exclusive interview with Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, deputy chief of sta for manpower, personnel, and services.

27 How Boeing Won the T-X By John A. Tirpak Aggressive technology, schedule, and pricing made the difference.

31 The B-2 at 30: Improving with Age By Tobias Naegele, Dashton Parham, and Mike Tsukamoto

36Arlington’s Southern Expansion By Brian W. Everstine With space running out, Arlington spreads out to surround the US Air Force Memorial —and to limit who can be buried on its hallowed grounds.

41 Fast-Forward with 5G By Rachel S. Cohen The next generation of wireless networks is coming.

46 The Case for Fifth-Generation and NGAD Airpower Lt. Gen. David A. Deptula, Maj. Gen. Lawrence A. Stutzreim, and Heather Penney

52 The Counter-Revolution in Military Affairs By John T. Correll For the ground forces, the problem with a revolution in military affairs was airpower, not technology.

58 AFA Nominees 2019-2020, Candidates for National Office and Board of Directors

An imagined B- elephant walk. See “The B-2 at 30,” p. 31.

The Air Force Memorial may become part of Arlington Na- tional Cemetery. See p. 36.

Air Force Magazine (ISSN 0730-6784) July/August 2019 (Vol. 102, No. 6) is published monthly, except for two double issues in January/February and July/August, by the Air Force Association, 1501 Lee Highway, Arlington, VA 22209-1198. Phone
(703) 247-5800. Periodical postage paid at Arlington, Va., and additional mailing o ices. Membership Rate: $50 per year; $35 e-Membership; $125 for three-year membership. Subscription Rate: $50 per year; $29 per year additional for
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Send changes of address to Air Force Association, 1501 Lee Highway, Arlington, VA 22209-1198. Publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. Trademark registered by Air Force Association. Copyright 2019 by Air Force Association.

2 Editorial: Game Changers By Tobias Naegele 3 Letters 4 Index to Advertisers 6 Airframes 14 Strategy & Policy: Shake- ups at the Pentagon leave DOD with space disarray and Army-centric leadership. 16 World: Offutt recovery; McConnell KC-46s; AFRL munition plans; and more .... 26 Faces of the Force 35 Verbatim 61 Airman for Life CAP cadets visit Virginia Science Museum; Cheesecon; and more ... 64 Namesakes: Scott

July / August 2019. Vol. 102, No. 6

DEPARTMENTSFEATURES

ON THE COVER

STAFF

Photo: Mike Tsukamoto/sta

Graphic: Eric Lee/sta

12 Q&A: Specialty O icers Needed

ADVERTISING: Kirk Brown Director, Media Solutions 703.247. [email protected] SUBSCRIBE & SAVE Subscribe to Air Force Magazine and save big o the cover price, plus get a free membership to the Air Force Association. 1-800-727-

JULY/AUGUST AIRFORCEMAG.COM JULY/AUGUST AIRFORCEMAG.COM Graphic by Dashton Parham and Mike Tsukamoto; Photos: USAF

B-2 at 30: Improving with AgeThe Air Force’s B-2 Spirit is the only stealth bomber in the world, an unprecedented combination of long-range, heavy payload, and stealth on a single platform. Its low-observable flying wing design com-bines stealth with aerodynamic e iciency, and includes two spacious weapons bays capable of carrying This star logo featuring five B-2 silhouettes was used at the plane’s rollout in 1989.

Ongoing Upgrades Include: • Defensive Management System Modernization (DMSM) to improve survivability in contested environments, primarily by locating and identifying enemy radars.

Adaptable Communications Suite (ACS) providing beyond-line-of-sight communications to enable time-sensitive mission updates and in-flight retasking.

July 17, 1989. B-2A. The leading edges of the wingsat 33 degrees and the trailing edge has a double-W shape. are angled

December 1993-December 1997. (Test-aircraft redelivered combat capable, July 2000)April 1997, Whiteman AFB, Mo. Edwards AFB, Calif.; Whiteman AFB, Mo.

Primary Function Northrop Grumman Aircraft Design First Flight Active Variant

Upgrades

Delivered IOC Aircraft Location

Prime ContractorNumber Built 21 20

172 ft.Span

Esoterica

Maneuvering The leading edges of the wingsat 33 degrees and the trailing edge has a double-W shape.

Inventory General Electric F118-GE-100 turbofans, each 17,300 lb. thrust Engines^4 Two pilots, on ACES II zero/zero ejection seats.

Accomodation

AFGSC, AFMC, ANG (associate) Operator Maximum speed Mach 0. (550 knots, 630 mph, 1,010 kilometers per hour) at 40,000 feet altitude (487 knots, 560 mph, 900 km/h) at 40,000 feet altitude

Performance Cruise speed Mach 0.

50,000 ft.Ceiling

Range6,

336,500 lb. WeightMax takeo 0.001 m^2 0.01 m^2 0.003 m 2 0.005 m^2 0.75 m-0.05m^2 4m^2

Low Observable Signature and Supportability Modifications • Radar-Aided Targeting System (RATS) that uses the B-2’s radar to (LOSSM) to improve the B-2’s stealth signature and reduce the amount of maintenance its stealth materials require.

JASSM-ER integration to enable B-2s to carry 16 of the extend-provide precision weapon targeting in GPS-denied environments. ed-range variant of the AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Stando Missile (JASSM).

1.9 million lines of code • Cot on board (with only two seats, pilots can stow a cot for resting during long flights)

One split drag rudderouter wing on each Two elevonson inner wing.One elevonon outer wing. Four pairs of control surfaces.

100m^2 17 ft.

0.001 m^2 0.01 m 69 ft.

F-117 F-35 B-2 F-16 B- Strobe lights flashing clearance for take o .indicate

Red lightindicator Strobe lights flashing clearance for take o .indicate

Green light indicator 100m

2

Potential future upgrades could include:• Ability to carry both smart bomb rack and rotary launcher to maxi-• Airspeed and altitude hold autopilot functionality to reduce crew mize loadout flexibility.

Integration of hypersonic weapons on a more survivable launch fatigue. platform.

1989: First Flight 1995:Targeting (GATS) and GPS-Aided Munitions (GAMS) Adds GPS-Aided 1998:to use JDAM Gains ability 1999:Interface System (GWIS) – can now carry four di erent weapon types on the rotary Adds Generic Weapons launcher (RLA)

2006:Penetrator (MOP) GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Gains ability to use 2012:times; improved geolocation accuracy width data busses; improved threat identification; improved response Adds fiber-optic, high-band-2018/2019 (Plans):Signature and Supportability Modifications; expand development e orts for advanced LO materials, structures, and procedures including Advanced Signature Reduction; Next-Generation Zonal Continue development of Low-Observable Radar; upgrade to the Tier One Material Inspection System (TOMIS) .-

1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020

Integration of anti-ship weapons like the Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile, something the influential think tank CSBA has called for as a means of countering the Chinese Navy.

Whiteman AFB

Collier Award Recipient, May 1992 ― Air Force/Northrop Grumman-led contractor team wins the Collier Trophy, aerospace’s most prestigious award for the design, development, production, and flight testing of the B-2 Spirit. Recognition Iraqi Freedom (2003) Operation Odyssey Dawn (2011) Operation Odyssey Lightning (2017) Operation Operation Allied Force (1999) Enduring Freedom Operation (2001)

B-2 carries more guided weapons than • Only about 700 people have flown in a any other platform (80x GBU-38)B-2; everyone who has is assigned a
unique “Spirit number”

Whiteman AFB, Mo., to Libya is 10,000 miles round trip. In 2016, two B-2s flew this overwater route, eliminating the need for overflight permissions. Libya 60,000 lbs. The 21 Spirits

nautical miles (10,000 with one refueling); Service ceiling: 50,000 feet (15,200 meters)

The original B-2s have benefited from significant enhancements since the planes were first introduced. All aircraft today meet the Block 30 standard, featuring AESA radars and Link 16.

Radar Cross SectionThe radar cross section (RCS) is a key measure of strength. A target’s RCS depends on its physical shape, materials, antennae, and other sensors. Onboard sensors can play as much of a role in determining RCS as materials and design.

Northrop-Grumman built 21 B-2s, each named for a state (listed in order of its manufacture): 1. 2. Spirit of Arizona (82-1067) Spirit of America (82-1066)

Spirit of New York (82-1068) 4. Spirit of Indiana (82-1069) 5. Spirit of Ohio (82-1070) 6. Spirit of Mississippi (82-1071)

1. 1. Spirit of Texas (88-0328) Spirit of Missouri (88-0329) Spirit of California (88-0330) Spirit of South Carolina (88-0331)

Spirit of Kansas (89-0127 - destroyed 13. Spirit of Washington (88-0332) in 2008)Spirit of Nebraska (89-0128)

Spirit of Georgia (89-0129) 15. Spirit of Alaska (90-0040) 16. Spirit of Hawaii (90-0041) 17. Spirit of Florida (92-0700)

Spirit of Oklahoma (93-1085) 19. 20. 21. Spirit of Kitty Hawk (93-1086) Spirit of Pennsylvania (93-1087) Spirit of Louisiana (93-1088)

Air Force Magazine – July-August 2019

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