The war against Iran has underscored both the continuing centrality of airborne battle management (ABM) for U.S. air operations as well as the limitations of an aging and undersized fleet. The destruction of an E-3 on the ground has also highlighted vulnerability concerns, which have led the Department of Defense to seek alternative approaches such as space-based systems and distributed battle management constructs. These challenges raise questions about the capabilities needed to fulfill the critical ABM mission in the near-term and in the future.

The Center for a New American Security held a panel discussion on Wednesday, April 22, from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. ET, on these topics and more, examining the future challenges and roles of U.S. airborne battle management.

The event marked the release of a new report, Eyes in the Sky: Airborne Sensing and Battle Management in Indo-Pacific and Homeland Defense, by Philip Sheers.

The discussion was moderated by Dr. Stacie Pettyjohn, senior fellow and director of the CNAS Defense Program and featured Lt. Gen. S. Clinton Hinote (Ret.), former deputy chief of staff for strategy, integration, and requirements, U.S. Air Force; Kari Bingen, director of the Aerospace Security Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies; and Philip Sheers, associate fellow with the CNAS Defense Program.