Sidebar: Air Meets Space, November 2003

sidebar:
air meets space

Integrated air and space operations have been at the forefront of the success of the United States military in recent conflicts. In the current century, this integration will become more tightly coupled to the point that a seamless air and space operation will be a reality. This seamless operation will deliver capability at lower cost, provide greater mission duration over the battlefield, and ensure access anywhere on the planet whenever required.

Expendable unmanned platforms launch satellite payloads into space or deliver munitions with precision to targets on the ground. Air Force Space Command is transitioning its current mix of medium and heavy lift expendable boosters to the new Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle for space launch. These vehicles support routine launch operations and provide a greater capability for assured access to space with reduced cost.

Nevertheless, expendable launch vehicles may have reached maturity levels where only modest improvements may be made. On the other hand, air platforms that deliver munitions will enjoy increased speed, mission duration time over the battlefield, and targeting accuracy.

In the near future, munitions hovering over the battlefield will be data-linked with other air and space assets and will provide a continuous presence. Upon release, these munitions will strike targets of interest quickly and accurately. Further out in this century, these missiles will strike from extremely long ranges (eventually intercontinental) with hypersonic speeds (greater than Mach 4) to provide true responsiveness, while keeping higher-value platforms out of increasingly hostile environments. The key enabling technologies are found in mechanical systems, power systems, and propulsion system components such as extended-life, high-temperature turbines and integrated, thermally managed fuel systems.

When eyes in the sky aren't human, they can be ordered into dangerous situations without risking the loss of life, and they can by nature stay awake longer.

Reusable launch platforms are being studied for possible implementation. One such system that has been under study within the Air Force Research Laboratory is the Space Operations Vehicle. The SOV is expected to be a two-stage launch system with aircraft-like operations and lower cost to orbit for payloads less than 20,000 pounds.

One payload projected to be carried by the SOV is the Space Maneuver Vehicle, which could remain in orbit up to one year and then be landed. It could be refitted with more up-to-date capability and made ready for relaunch when needed.

In certain scenarios, more than 30,000 pounds of suborbital conventional munitions could also be employed by the Space Operations and Space Maneuver vehicle system. It allows direct strike from the continental United States within hours to minutes, depending upon alert status.

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