Dispersal
Dispersing the force across more airfields would be an obvious counter to reduce vulnerability at unprotected airfields. To implement such dispersal concepts, the USAF would need to invest more heavily in its support structure. Dispersal proposals developed during the Cold War were constrained because of the significant costs of expanding the support structure (more ground support equipment, maintenance personnel, and base security) and reconfiguring all aircraft (to improve their capability to operate from austere fields). Dispersing the force would also require access to more airfields at a time when the US is concerned about gaining access to sufficient bases using traditional concentrations of aircraft.
Suppress Anti-Access Threats Rapidly
The USAF currently plans to employ the B-2 and F-22 force, working in conjunction with carrier air power and naval surface combatants and submarines, to neutralize enemy mobile air defense system; strike enemy airfields (to eliminate enemy aircraft); shoot down enemy aircraft; hunt down mobile enemy ballistic and cruise missiles; knock out WMD production and storage facilities; and, if necessary, deal with enemy ground offensives. Because of the small size of the USAF “access insensitive” force and the size of the job, such operations could take a considerable amount of time, particularly if an adversary conceals its missile forces until US forces begin deploying (and thus constitute a more lucrative target).
Large Manmade Islands
In the 1990s, the Office of Naval Research sponsored a science and technology program on what was termed the Joint Mobile Offshore Base (JMOB)—a large floating structure capable of handling land-based aircraft and providing logistical support. Such bases would greatly increase US flexibility in deploying aircraft forward, but may also present an opponent with an attractive target.
The cost of a single JMOB was estimated at about $6 billion, but the concept currently has no ardent supporters in the Pentagon.
Active Defenses
Active defenses could help alleviate concerns if they become effective, but uncertainty remains whether US missile defense systems, once fielded and deployed, can reliably defeat enemy ballistic missiles. Indeed, a primary reason these weapons are proliferating is the difficulty of defending against them. Cruise missiles also pose challenges. If successfully detected, cruise missiles can be
engaged successfully by a variety of platforms, but maintaining defenses constantly on alert would strain the deployed force and reduce US offensive capabilities. Overall, an adversary could probably overcome US defenses by fielding sufficient numbers of missiles to conduct massed volleys; some missiles would probably get through to inflict damage on forward bases.
Base Outside the Range of Threat Systems
If adversaries can threaten US bases within 1,500 nautical miles, fighter operations over extended ranges become less viable and call into question current US aircraft modernization policies. Long-range systems would increase US basing options and decrease the number of enemy systems that can attack US bases. But a new long-range system will take time to develop. Air Force estimates do not envision a new long-range system entering service for another 20–30 years, while the economic and political challenges involved in developing and fielding a new system are substantial. For the near to medium term, Air Force options include expanded purchases of stand-off weapons, additional B-2 procurement, adding refueling capabilities to the proposed Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (which would not have the pilot fatigue issues that constrain the mission radii of fighter aircraft). The Defense Department could also consider increasing reliance on maritime forces such as aircraft carriers, surface combatants, and submarines.