2014 Technical Strategic Plan
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AIR FORCE OFFICE OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH 2014 TECHNICAL STRATEGIC PLAN 1 Message from the Director Dr. Patrick Carrick Acting Director, Air Force Office of Scientific Research Our vision is bold: The U.S. Air Force dominates I am pleased to present the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) Technical Strategic Plan. AFOSR is air, space, and cyberspace the basic research component of the Air Force Research DISCOVER through revolutionary Laboratory. For over 60 years, AFOSR has directed the basic research. Air Force’s investments in basic research. AFOSR was an early investor in the scientific research that directly enabled capabilities critical to the technology superiority of today’s Our mission is challenging: U.S. Air Force, such as stealth, GPS, and laser-guided We discover, shape, and weapons. This plan describes our strategy for ensuring that champion basic science we continue to impact the Air Force of the future. that profoundly impacts the Our basic research investment attracts highly creative SHAPE future Air Force. scientists and engineers to work on Air Force challenges. AFOSR builds productive, enduring relationships with scientists and engineers who look beyond the limits of today’s technology to enable revolutionary Air Force capabilities. Over its history, AFOSR has supported more than 70 researchers who went on to become Nobel Laureates. Three enduring core strategic Furthermore, AFOSR’s basic research investment educates new scientists and engineers in goals ensure that AFOSR stays fields critical to the Air Force. These scientists and engineers contribute not only to our Nation’s committed to the long-term continued security, but also to its economic vitality and technological preeminence. technological superiority I am honored to be the Director of the AFOSR. The challenges that the Air Force confronts will of the Air Force. forever be changing. AFOSR will respond to meet those challenges. CHAMPION • We identify opportunities for significant scientific advancements and breakthrough research around the world. • We rapidly bring to bear on these opportunities the right researchers and resources in the interest of fostering revolutionary basic research for Air Force needs. • We enable the Air Force to exploit these opportunities through transitioning revolutionary science and technology to DOD and industry. 12 23 Introduction Elements of Strategy AFOSR is a mission agency. Its goals – to This first strategic goal is the foundational discover, shape, and champion basic science element for AFOSR. If as an organization that profoundly impacts the future Air Force it identifies opportunities well, the other Today’s U.S. Air Force dominance is the direct result of more than – are unique within the Air Force and among two strategic goals can be addressed well. 60 years of investment in the sciences and technologies that governmental funding agencies. They are Identification of where a research revolution underlie air and space power and information production and inextricably tied to the mission and strategic may develop is the most difficult of the three priorities of the entire Air Force and are goals. It is inherently the most risky and it use. This broadly based investment ranges from focused research, necessarily based on the plans and programs of commands the most resources and energy. enabling rapid development of specific systems and capabilities, AFRL. to the most basic research in existing and emerging sciences. Input into decisions Continuing commitment to comprehensive investment provides AFRL leads the discovery, development, and integration of affordable technologies that Program Officers and leadership determine the Air Force with a technological edge that manifests itself in our assure at all times and in all engagements the how and where to look for breakthrough current preeminent air, space, and information systems. dominance of our aerospace forces. AFRL research opportunities. They consider the must consider broad spectrums of time, place, current and projected technological needs of and operation, ranging from rapid response the Air Force and the full scope of research The Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) directs the to meet today’s warfighter needs to far-term reported on, in progress, and planned investment of Air Force’s basic research funds into subjects that transformational research and development throughout the world. AFOSR acquires the reveal, define, and explore emerging scientific concepts and that prepares the air Force for the challenges knowledge it needs on the technological assesses their applicability to tomorrow’s Air Force. AFOSR is that will emerge in the future. As the AFRL status and gaps of the Air Force by direct directorate responsible for directing all basic personal contacts and by studying relevant the directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) research investments, AFOSR must be keenly publications and declarations from the DOD that focuses exclusively on the future. Across the Air Force there attuned to transformational research across the and the Air Force (primarily the Chief Scientist, is a shared vision of reliance on and demand for technological globe and its relations to the needs and plans of the major commands, and AFRL). To assure the current and future Air Force. the information is current, accurate, and superiority. AFOSR’s vision and mission have the unique feature complete, AFOSR maintains relationships with of focusing on revolutionary, transformational basic research, The processes AFOSR follows in making its its stakeholders, exchanging information and producing today’s breakthrough science for tomorrow’s Air Force. investment decisions, intent on maximizing ideas regularly. The knowledge accumulated their impacts, are based on the three strategic informs decisions on the broad subjects of goals. AFOSR must seek out and support the research on which to focus and whom to hire Fulfilling our three core strategic goals best, most transformational basic research with as Program Officers. ensures the AFOSR remains a constant the greatest potential for impact on the future and capable custodian of the long-term Air Force. This objective requires, first and An example of the input that informs AFOSR foremost, that AFOSR’s Program Officers be decisions is shown in Table 1, which was technological future for the Air Force, assigned appropriate responsibilities and that compiled from “Air Force Research Laboratory the Department of Defense (DOD), and they be provided with the support necessary Capability-Based Science and Technology the country. This document addresses for them to take steps that will, over time and Strategy 2030” and “Global Horizons: United over a broad set of portfolios, create the Air States Air Force Global Science and Technology how AFOSR identifies which activities Force of the future. The main considerations Vision.” These documents and many others to fund, the thought processes that that assemble and unleash an effective technical reflect substantial agreement as to the various underlie allocation of resources, and what workforce and underlie its investment decisions trends that are driving change worldwide steps are taken, in which directions, to support are described below. and that will impact the Air Force and the U.S. military in the coming years. Other published transitioning research results. Details of the processes that Identify opportunities guidance on science and technology that is drive transitions are discussed further in AFOSR’s Strategic for significant scientific relevant to AFOSR is shown in the Reference Business Plan. advancements and section. breakthrough research around the world 34 4 5 Table 1. Major Global Trends Expected to Impact the Air Force Asymmetric Engagement Persisting Asia Rising The number of failed and failing states may expand. Those Projected to reach a combined population of 2.7 billion marginalized and disenfranchised as a result of history, people by 2020, China and India have among the geography, globalization, and urbanization will not world’s highest growth rates in economic and military confront those they perceive as oppressors directly. strength. This trend could portend the re-emergence of a peer competitor. U.S. Technological Edge Declining Urbanization Accelerating The rest of the world is developing. Because The ongoing largest migration in history places of growing populations, improvements populations and power centers in complex, confined in education, expanding economies, and environments that “can degrade or reduce the ambitions of (comparative) power throughout effectiveness of high-technology weapons; communication the world, “it is unlikely our nation will continue to systems; and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) have the science and engineering edge it capabilities.” once enjoyed.” Globalization and Interdependence Increasing Military Use of Space Expanding “Economic, financial, industrial, and information globalization represent the The unrestricted use of space as a domain that enables us leading edge of market forces driving us toward a more interdependent to see, hear, locate, and communicate on a global scale is global framework of political and ideological engagement.” Alliances and essential to operations. Proliferation of assets and debris and partnerships will evolve, and probably in aggregate expand over time. rise of directed-energy weapons imperil our capabilities. Cyberspace Ubiquitous to Operations,