Air Force Secretary Sets Timeline For Manned, Unmanned Teaming

Kimberly Johnson

Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at 04:21 PM ET

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Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall [File Photo Courtesy: U.S. Air Force]

Key Takeaways:

The U.S. Air Force is fully committed to developing manned-unmanned teaming (MUT) capabilities, with initial operational rollout expected around the same timeframe as the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter.
Secretary Frank Kendall emphasizes that MUT offers novel tactical options and is a crucial, cost-effective strategy to build combat mass for the Air Force.
The Air Force is actively exploring the optimal integration and roles for uncrewed platforms to accompany both fighters (like NGAD and F-35) and bombers (such as the B-21 Raider), aiming for an initial "minimum viable product."
This shift is driven by the need to adapt to future combat scenarios characterized by rapid timelines and numerous threats, differing from recent conflicts.

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The U.S. Air Force’s concept of manned, unmanned teaming could emerge in “roughly the same time frame” as the service’s forthcoming Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter currently in production, the service’s top official said Tuesday.

Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall confirmed Tuesday that when it comes to exploring the use of pairing unmanned air combat platforms with piloted aircraft, the service is all in.