The problem here is that the USAF has never done well supporting troops on the ground, and this is best folded unto US Army operations.

This is really about the USAF trying to make sure that it’s on the gravy train as the US military is redefined for likely conflicts, counter-insurgency (COINS), where the latest USAF whiz bang gets you no advantage.

The F-22, F-35, new tankers, bombers, etc. have NO additional utility relative to legacy systems in COINS.

US Air Force planners want irreguar warfare wing
By Stephen Trimble

US Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) planners have called for the stand-up of a new “irregular warfare” wing dedicated to fighting insurgents and terrorists with an aircraft fleet numbering 44 airlifters, 20 helicopters and 20 turboprop strike fighters.

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The irregular warfare wing concept seeks to introduce the first dedicated strike aircraft for fighting insurgent forces since the Douglas A-1 Skyraider in the Vietnam war.

“One possible candidate for the light strike role is the air-to-ground modified [Beechcraft] AT-6B. Other candidate aircraft include the [Embraer] Tucano or Super Tucano,” the AFSOC paper states. The authors add that a Cessna Caravan “might be useful as a light mobility, strike, or intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft depending on its configuration”.

Perhaps more important than the light strike component, the new wing should operate four Lockheed Martin C-130s in a “heavy mobility” role, as well as 20 medium lift and 20 light mobility aircraft. The latter can be comprised of Cessnas or EADS Casa C-212s, while the former might be the Alenia Aeronautica C-27J Spartan Joint Cargo Aircraft.

The real story here is that the USAF really, REALLY, REALLY hate doing anything that smacks of close air support. They have since the creation of the USAF.

It’s fighters, and strategic bombing, with perhaps a bit of tactical bombing that they want to do.

It’s embarrassing to do close air support. After all, some sergeant is telling an officer what to hit and where to drop bombs.

UAVs, Other Aircraft Being Misused, ACC chief Says

Jun 21, 2007

Michael Fabey/Aerospace Daily & Defense Report

Using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and pod-equipped combat jets to find improvised explosive devices (IEDs) is often a misuse of time and resources, said U.S. Air Force Gen. Ronald Keys, commander of Air Combat Command.

Often, requests for airborne surveillance are based on the assumption that such aircraft help find IEDs and save ground forces from such attacks, he said. Certain military leaders feel they need the full-motion video feeds to locate the explosives. The truth, he said, is much different.

Based on Air Force analysis, the number of IEDs found by UAVs, surveillance aircraft or combat jets outfitted with advanced targeting pods per 100,000 flight hours is very low, according to Keys. “It’s a waste,” Keys said June 20 during a morning keynote speech at the Transformation Warfare 07 conference and exhibit in Virginia Beach, Va.

“People come to me and tell me they want a Predator,” he said. “I ask, ‘What are you looking for?’ Tell me what you’re looking for, don’t just tell me you want a J-STARS.”

Unfortunately, the military is basing some of its decisions on anecdotes instead of real metrics, he said. Indeed, the only metric being used is whether the Air Force is meeting certain tasking orders, instead of making sure those assets and flights are effective and the best use of time and aircraft. “This is no way to fight a war,” he said.

Keys said ACC has developed a “concept of deployment” to help fight IEDs that is air-centric “to a certain point.” Without going into specifics, he said, “We ought to be attacking the system – to the left of ‘the bang,'” meaning the process before the IED is emplaced. What needs to be looked at is the network, “not the thing that’s buried out there,” he said.

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The aircraft is expected to carry the Novator K-100 missiles, which are to have a range in excess of 200km (some reports say 300 km).

Sukhoi Pushes Ahead With Revamped Flanker(subscription required)
Aviation Week & Space Technology
06/25/2007, page 43

Douglas Barrie
Le Bourget

Sukhoi plans aggressive flight test and weapons integration schedule for latest Flanker version

Printed headline: Family Affair

Fighter manufacturer Sukhoi is trying to persuade the Russian government to contribute development funds for its latest version of the Su-27 Flanker family, the Su-35, with indications that the air force has already decided to acquire the aircraft.

Three Su-35 prototypes are initially being manufactured, with a first flight planned by the end of September, according to a senior Sukhoi executive involved in the program. “Currently, there’s no government funding,” he says. “The program so far is being funded by industry participants.”

The first aircraft, No. 901, is now complete and undergoing ground tests. It’s slated to be at the Moscow air show in August, before beginning flight trials. The company has an ambitious flight test and initial weapons integration plan that it aims to finish by 2010, followed by the first aircraft being handed over to the air force.

The first prototype of Sukhoi’s Su-35 is due to appear at the Moscow air show on the flight line, rather than only as a display model.Credit: DOUGLAS BARRIE/AW&ST

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The Su-27 derivative will certainly include systems also destined for the T-50. It will also provide the air force with an interim fighter should–a distinct possibility–the time scale for introducing the PAK FA into service be extended. First flight of the T-50 is penciled in for 2009.
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It’s not clear in the picture, but there appears to be a fairing on the aft end of the large missile hanging on the right hand (left of picture) pylon. This might be an air intake.

Given the Russian experience with solid fuel ramjets, the SA-6 had one in the early 1970s, the range of this AIM-54 sized Phoenix sized missile could be rather long.