The Air Force Science & Technology Plan Fiscal Year 2004

[1], vii, 88, [2] pages and CD inside the back cover. Illustrations (many in color). This document was stated at the time as Official Use Only and Distribution was authorized to U.S. Government Agencies and private individuals or enterprises eligible to obtain export-controlled technical data in accordance with DoD 5230.25 (Oct 03). The controlling authority was the Air Force Research Laboratory at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The CD required an Acrobat Reader. The Warfighter Technology Areas addressed in this plan include: Global Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance; Command and Control; Global Information Enterprise; Space Force Enhancement; Counterspace, Space Force Application, Space Support, Expeditionary Support; Security and Protection; Warfighter Readiness; Responsive Air Operations, Integrated Striker Targeting and Connectivity, Aeronautical System Survivability, Aeronautical System Sustainment, Precision Lethal Weaponry; Alternative Effects Weaponry, and Counterproliferation Operations. The CD envelope states: The varies nature of military operations in a changing global environment requires a strong, powerful, and adaptive Air Force. Guided by the Air Force vision "Global Vigilance, Reach, and Power," The United States Air Force has shown the world its ability to assess, respond, and project powerful, synergistic and decisive effects anytime, anywhere: "Full Spectrum Dominance." To achieve this synergistic effect requires a strong Science and Technology (S&T) Program, which ensures our military forces have the combat edge provided by technologically superior military systems. the Air Force has documents its commitment to pursuing a focused, high-quality, aggressive S&T program that is responsive to the full range of capabilities required by our aerospace force in the FY 2004 Air Force S&T Plan. AFRL recognizes that to meet the Air Force's vision for the 21st century, it must provide the warfighters with the essential technology that directly enables the effects and capabilities needed to keep the United States Air Force the best in the world. this Air Force S&T Plan provides our customers, Congress, and industry an integrated picture of the Air Force's investment to achieve those technological capabilities and effects. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is a scientific research organization operated by the United States Air Force Materiel Command dedicated to leading the discovery, development, and integration of aerospace warfighting technologies, planning and executing the Air Force science and technology program, and providing warfighting capabilities to United States air, space, and cyberspace forces. It controls the entire Air Force science and technology research budget which was $2.4 billion in 2006. The Laboratory was formed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio on 31 October 1997 as a consolidation of four Air Force laboratory facilities (Wright, Phillips, Rome, and Armstrong) and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research under a unified command. The Laboratory is composed of seven technical directorates, one wing, and the Office of Scientific Research. Each technical directorate emphasizes a particular area of research within the AFRL mission which it specializes in performing experiments in conjunction with universities and contractors. Since the Laboratory's formation in 1997, it has conducted numerous experiments and technical demonstrations in conjunction with NASA, Department of Energy National Laboratories, DARPA, and other research organizations within the Department of Defense. Notable projects include the X-37, X-40, X-53, HTV-3X, YAL-1A, Advanced Tactical Laser, and the Tactical Satellite Program. The Laboratory may face problems in the future as 40 percent of its workers are slated to retire over the next two decades while since 1980 the United States has not produced enough science and engineering degrees to keep up with demand. Presumed First Edition, First printing th.…