The era of the E-3 AWACS, the E-8C J-STARS and -- presumably -- RC-135 Rivet Joint may be over. Fifth-generation fighters are not only more survivable against a sophisticated opponent, they also have better sensors than the US Air Force's best dedicated air- and ground-warning systems. Anything larger than an F-35 or F-22 should be parked forever. Instead, however, the 707-based sensor fleet is kept alive by a military-industry cabal and by fighter jocks who "pretend" to be scared of a future without at least AWACS watching their backs. Killing AWACS and J-STARS would reap billions in savings, which could be reinvested to buy more F-22s and F-35s.
Wow.
None of the above sentences come from me. Nor are they the ravings of a fringe commentator on the outskirts of the blogosphere. Instead, these are the newly-published opinions of former Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne, who has become a sort of Jimmy Carter of ex-service chiefs by publicly purveying a series of his own inconvenient truths to the military-industrial complex. Last October, Wynne warned of deep ramifications of the decision to cancel the F-22, but also took shots at Pratt & Whitney and Lockheed Martin. It's not clear if Wynne's most recent proposals will be seriously considered by anyone inside the Pentagon's E-ring. But it's worth your time to read what Wynne has to say.
READ: Budget Rationalization of Survivable ISR, by Michael Wynne
Wow.
None of the above sentences come from me. Nor are they the ravings of a fringe commentator on the outskirts of the blogosphere. Instead, these are the newly-published opinions of former Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne, who has become a sort of Jimmy Carter of ex-service chiefs by publicly purveying a series of his own inconvenient truths to the military-industrial complex. Last October, Wynne warned of deep ramifications of the decision to cancel the F-22, but also took shots at Pratt & Whitney and Lockheed Martin. It's not clear if Wynne's most recent proposals will be seriously considered by anyone inside the Pentagon's E-ring. But it's worth your time to read what Wynne has to say.
READ: Budget Rationalization of Survivable ISR, by Michael Wynne
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