Return of The Bomber: The Future of Long Range Strike

The Eaker Institute, the research arm of the Air Force Association, presented a major discussion titled "Return of the Bomber: The Future of Long Range Strike" on May 1, 2007.   The discussion featured a presentation by Dr. Rebecca Grant, author of the study, and a panel of General Richard Hawley (USAF, Ret.), General Gregory Martin (USAF, Ret.) and Brigadier General (Maj. Gen. Select) Mark Matthews, Director of Plans and Programs at Headquarters, Air Combat Command, Langley AFB, Va.

General (USAF Ret) Martin makes a point during AFA’s Panel discussion on Long Range Strike at the National Press Club From left to right; Maj Gen Mark Matthews, Gen (ret) Gregory Martin, Gen (ret) Richard Hawley and Rebecca Grant, President of IRIS Research. Photo: Mary Ellen Dobrowolski

For eight full decades--from 1917 until 1997--the Air Force or predecessor organizations always had a long-range bomber in production or development. For the past 10 years, however, the Air Force has been in the throes of a bomber gap. This panel discussion will focus on changing bomber missions, the requirement for new long range strike system by 2018, and some of the technology solutions and how to make the next bomber a national priority.

Grant is president of IRIS Independent Research, Inc., in Washington, D.C., and has worked for RAND Corp., the Secretary of the Air Force, and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force. Her professional research interests center on joint doctrine and airpower employment in joint campaigns. Hawley is a former Commander of Air Combat Command. Martin is former commander of Allied Air Forces Northern Europe and Air Forces in Europe Command.