A New Era of Affordable Combat Power
Air Force Secretary Troy Meink has unveiled a sweeping strategy to overhaul the U.S. Air and Space Forces, emphasizing the urgent need for cost-effective, scalable combat power to counter rapidly evolving global threats. Speaking at the Air, Space & Cyber Conference, Meink argued that traditional acquisition models are outpaced by modern battlefield realities, where technologies like one-way attack drones are fundamentally reshaping conflict. According to the Department of the Air Force, the core of this modernization lies in pairing crewed aircraft with low-cost, highly autonomous systems.
Central to this blueprint is the deployment of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), with a goal of fielding at least 500 units by 2032. Complementing these are the new Mass Modular Aircraft (MMA), a class of uncrewed, multi-purpose platforms designed to be “attritable” and long-range. Meink stated that with sufficient budget support, the Department aims to field 100 MMAs by 2029 at a fraction of the cost of fifth-generation fighters, eventually reaching a fleet of 500 such platforms by 2032.
Space Superiority and On-Orbit Capabilities
The modernization push extends directly into the orbital domain. In a significant disclosure, Meink confirmed that the U.S. Space Force has officially deployed “on-orbit space control weapons” capable of defending the Joint Force against adversary actions. This announcement follows reports from Air & Space Forces Magazine regarding the critical role Guardians have played in Operation Epic Fury, including the use of electronic warfare to disrupt Iranian air defenses and provide missile warning data.
Chief of Space Operations Gen. Douglas Schiess noted that space capabilities have evolved from a “nice to have” to a “need to have” component of modern warfare. Despite these advancements, the Space Force faces a precarious fiscal future. The proposed FY27 budget request of $71.2 billion—a significant increase from the $40 billion enacted in FY26—faces stiff opposition. According to Breaking Defense, the current budget impasse in Congress threatens to imperil roughly 10% of existing Space Force programs.
Structural Reform and Acquisition
To accelerate delivery, the Department has established 26 “Portfolio Acquisition Executives” (PAEs) empowered with Milestone Decision Authority. This move is designed to delegate authority as far down the chain as legally possible, bypassing traditional bureaucratic hurdles. However, Meink warned that industry costs are currently growing faster than inflation, creating a “cost curve” that must be managed if the ambitious modernization plans are to succeed.