Aerospace

USAF mulls multiplatform approach to AWACS, C2 missions

The US Air Force (USAF) is studying its command-and-control (C2) requirements over the next few decades to determine how that battlefield role is to be addressed, and officials so far believe the solution is likely more disaggregated than its current use of specific C2 aircraft.

Service planners are now evaluating 'multi-domain' C2 through an Enterprise Capabilities Collaboration Team (ECCT) that will inform future requirements, USAF's Air Combat Command General Herbert Carlisle told reporters during a 24 February breakfast meeting.

The USAF uses Boeing E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning And Control System (AWACS) aircraft and Boeing E-4B airborne command aircraft for these roles, but its latest generation combat platforms - such as the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor fighter and the emerging Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter and Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider bomber - have or will have significant C2 capabilities.