#AirForce2121

Dec 23, 2021
3 min

2021: A Central Blue year review

As 2021 draws to a close, it seems a perfect time for TCB editors to reflect upon another big year. This year's focus on autonomous systems,space capabilities and future-force insights offered the perfect opportunity to encourage submissions which explored, questioned, and challenged the future of these capabilities. #Airforce2121 It perhaps goes without saying that a highlight of the year was the Air Force 2121 series which resulted in the award of the 2021 Dr Alan Stephens

Dec 5, 2021
8 min

Logistics in War: Enablers to Aviators

In this multi-faceted #AirForce2121 piece, SQNLDR Kylie Melville reflects on what logistics will look like over the next 100 years. Ranging from strategic challenges such as climate change, to technological innovations such as AI, she argues that the logistics function needs to also find a way of transforming itself from that of tactical executioners to operational artists who amplify airpower effects. Preamble On the first day of spring, 2021, amidst a history changing COVID

Nov 21, 2021
2 min

2021 Announcement: The Dr Alan Stephens Air Power Literary Prize winner

In 2021, the Royal Australian Air Force celebrated 100 years of service - a monumental achievement celebrated all around Australia. The Central Blue marked the occasion by seeking submissions which answered the question; What will the RAAF look like in 2121? What lessons from the past 100 years can we apply to the next 100? And How do we build and grow people for the future Force? Submissions which pushed the creative boundaries and forced the reader to imagine a new future

Oct 24, 2021
5 min

What will the RAAF look like in 2121?

The 20th century saw some of the greatest and fastest technological advancements. With ever quickening advances, what wonders will the 22nd bring? In this #AirForce2121 piece, John Ruddy turns his eyes to the future, looking at how our complex world will rise to the challenges of contested space, geopolitical alliances, and the conflict between technological advancement and our environment. Ruddy takes the RAAF and throws it into a world that has changed in interesting ways -

Oct 17, 2021
5 min

The Case for a Universal Multi-Domain Shipping Container

Logistics is the backbone to any operation for every Service where fast, efficient transport is vital to success. Logistic Officer Brendon Bishop highlights how standardisation of containers was revolutionary to the global domain. Yet are these successes sufficient for #AirForce2121? Identifying the shortfalls of current technology, Bishop offers the next step for logistics to enhance this essential operational element. As Bishop demonstrates, the integration of information t

Sep 19, 2021
6 min

Assuring 2121 - Ben Luther

In this latest instalment of our #AirForce2121 series, we move from the sci-fi-esque notion of future AI-enabled capabilities and turn to rethink the role of a key Air Force function: Test & Evaluation. In this reflective piece, Ben Luther considers what the T&E field of the future may very well have to contend with, and asks the question: are the approaches based in 1950s thinking - that generates levels of certainty - fit-for-purpose over the next century? I didn’t notice t

Aug 22, 2021
6 min

Fighting for Time: Conflict in the 22nd Century

This week GPCAPT Phil Arms offers a prospective glimpse into the ‘New Generation Force’ of the 2100s in the latest instalment of our #AirForce2121 series. His sci-fiesque vignette explores several issues, from the integration and use of AI in far-future warfighting to asking the question: is Time the 6th Domain to be contested in future warfare? But his storytelling also includes timely messages for the Air Force of today, particularly around reframing ‘failure’ into a cultur

Jul 25, 2021
6 min

#AirForce2121: Air Force’s Strategic Culture as a Force for Continuity

We welcome back our editorial colleague WGCDR Ulas Yildirim as he asks a provocative #AirForce2121 question: is Air Force on a path to irrelevancy? He argues that Air Force must adapt its strategic culture or disappear - Air Force futuring must extend well beyond doing the ‘same things with better tech’ and pursue a strategic culture driven by a contest of ideas that actively seeks out debate. Whilst cultural change may not be pleasant, it’s essential to avoid a grim outlook

Jul 18, 2021
7 min

The autonomy advantage: Is the ADF missing an opportunity? - WGCDR Keirin Joyce

In April this year, The Sir Richard Williams Foundation's return-from-COVID seminar Next Generation Autonomous Systems (NGAS) offered a stirling line-up of thought leaders from across the air power community, charged with exploring the force multiplying capability and increasingly complex requirements associated with uncrewed systems. I had the honour of being its Master of Ceremony. It was a good event and clearly showed that Australia continues to 'punch above its weight' i

Apr 3, 2021
2 min

Call for Submissions: #AirForce2121

Submissions due 1 October 2021 Following this week’s celebration of the Royal Australian Air Force’s 100 years of service, we at The Central Blue are turning our attention to the next 100 years. It’s a tall order with a wide scope of possibilities that are perhaps more the domain of science fiction. Undoubtedly the next century to 2121 will present all sorts of possibilities, threats and norms: Mobile phones replaced with brain and cornea implants; military systems 3D printed

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