On February 12, 2018, the Air Force had released in a Department of Defense press briefing, their plans for the FY ‘19 budget. With the reemergence of great power competition over the global space domain from other near-peer competitors, the Air Force has highlighted the importance of the space budget to the nation’s security and their strategic understanding of the space environment.  The Air Force FY ‘19 budget has increased the space budget by nearly 20 percent ($7 billion) from FY ’17.

As part of the Air Force’s fiscal year 2019 budget plans, Maj. Gen John M. Pletcher, Director of the AF budget, spoke on the six key budget priorities, which are designed to accelerate readiness and increase lethality to confront the reemergence of great power competition.

Air Force FY 19 Budget – Six Key Budget Priorities

  1. Accelerating warfighter readiness – primary objective (includes having enough trained people)
  2. Deterrence – Safe, secure, nuclear deterrent
  3. Cost-effective modernization to increase the lethality of the force – Proposes modernization and recapitalization of key aircraft in order to retain affordable capacity, including continued buys of the F-35 and the KC-46, as well as upgrades to fourth-gen fighters. Also continues development of the B-21 bomber as a key component to the joint portfolio of conventional nuclear deep strike capabilities.
  4. Defendable space – Accelerating efforts to deter, defend, and prevail against anyone who seeks to deny ability to feely operate in space.
  5. Network battle management – Integrating capabilities that span all domains of warfare. Advancing command-and-control systems.
  6. National Defense Strategy emphasizes the importance of alliances and partnerships – Reinforce the Air Force’s commitment to allies and international partners through funding for the European Deterrence Initiative and Indo-Pacific security initiatives.

Maj. Gen Pletcher also spoke about the reallocation of the funding that would normally be spent to recapitalize on the JSTARS platform into a newly advanced battle management system for the future. This effort would “leverage existing and emerging sensor technologies from space-, air-, and ground-based sensors, coupled with an agile, resilient communications architecture to integrate and fuse information for the joint warfighter in both contested and uncontested environments.”

The increase in space investment has been largely in part due to the advances and threat from China and Russia. In a Strategic Forces Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) questioned Air Force Space Command Gen. Jay Raymond about recent public reports that indicate China could destroy a “staggering number of US satellites in the opening days of a potential conflict…” Gen. Raymond responded that the US has the best space capabilities in the world and the best airmen, but added that the country has competitors who are moving quickly and the US must “pick up the pace to stay ahead of the threat.”

Air Force Budget Plan

The Air Force FY ’19 budget plans also include a continuing investment in fifth-generation aircraft, as well as invest in fourth-generation assets through continued improvements to the F-15 and F-16. The budget calls for the purchase of an additional 48 F-35As, 15 KC-46As, six MC130Js, one HC-130J and 10 combat rescue helicopters.

As part of the Air Force’s assurance to continue to own the high ground, the allotted space budget provides the funding necessary for investments in advanced space situational awareness, counterspace and command, infrastructure, and studies and analysis. This dedication the Air Force has put forth towards the space budget will ensure that US remains the top competitor in the evolving space era.

The 2019 budget also addresses several other key issues — it reduces pilot shortfall, increases ammunitions production to capacity to replace war expenditures, increases the training budget and adds 4700 personnel to the end strength.

Burdeshaw has a key role in assessing the budget impact on defense industry.

Burdeshaw can:
  • Assess the detailed implications of the concepts, guidance and focus within the budget
  • Determine the specific implications of each budget change on the related defense industry
  • Assist our clients in developing their strategy in how to respond
  • Identify and prioritize potential business targets for our clients
  • Assist our clients in their subsequent capture efforts

Burdeshaw Associates, LLC has been providing the strategic consulting services of retired flag officers, SES level executives and industry professionals for nearly 40 years.