Bomber Requirements: From the Top-Down

The US bomber force faces a significant modernization challenge. As the weapon ofchoice for rapidly projecting national resolve over intercontinental distances, the bomberforce must prepare for the future by establishing a wide array of capabilities across theentire spectrum of conflict. However, our current modernization process is bogged downin a short-view, threat-based planning cycle. Instead, bomber modernization must cometo grips with a wide range of requirements addressing future conflict. These essentialrequirements which stem from a series of military studies and vision documents place apremium on flexibility in operations. The bomber force must begin now to expand itsmodernization effort toward flexible avionics, weaponry, logistics, and training if it hopesto compete as a viable tool in future conflict.