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12th Flying Training Wing

The 12th Flying Training Wing, headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, develops the next generation of Air Force aviators and enlisted aircrew by providing world-class flying training and education. The wing trains Airmen in the fundamentals of airmanship, instruction and leadership, preparing them for success in operational units across the Air Force. Through undergraduate Combat Systems Officer training, Pilot Instructor Training, Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals, Remotely Piloted Aircraft pilot indoctrination, enlisted aviator training, and other specialized programs, the 12th FTW produces skilled, adaptable, and combat-ready professionals capable of meeting the demands of today's complex operating environment while strengthening the future of American airpower.

 

 

12FTW Units

aircraft mechanic, performs maintenance 12th Maintenance Group
12th Maintenance Group
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Photo of an undergaraduate combat systems officer graduation 479th Flying Training Group
479th Flying Training Group
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An Airman inspects an aircraft 12th Operations Group
12th Operations Group
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Articles

Flight plan outlines next 20 years for RPA

  • Published
  • By Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (AFNS) --  Air Force leaders outlined what the next 20 years will look like for remotely piloted aircraft in the Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Flight Plan published April 30.

“The Small UAS Flight Plan outlines a vision and strategy for the continued development, operation and sustainment of SUAS over the next 20 years,” said Lt. Gen. Robert Otto, the deputy chief of staff for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. “Integrating SUAS into the Air Force’s ISR portfolio enables a more agile force that will help meet future warfighter demands in both permissive and highly contested environments.”

The flight plan presents an aggressive but realistic vision on how the Air Force must take significant steps, not only in system acquisition, but also in adaptive warfighting concepts, to integrate and institutionalize an Airmen-centric family of SUAS as exponential force multipliers across all domains. The SUAS concept supports the Defense Department and Air Force’s Better Buying initiatives: reversing the cost curve by looking at lower-cost alternatives, enabling operational agility against a diverse set of adversaries and operational environments.

“RPAs have been foundational to the growth of the Air Force’s globally integrated ISR enterprise, but as new sensors and payloads are integrated, system costs continue to rise beyond sustainability,” said Col. Brandon Baker, the director of ISR capabilities. “SUAS offer a way to provide more capability and capacity to the warfighter at equal or lower operational cost.”

The plan also gives industry partners an outlook on the capabilities the Air Force wants to have in the future, ranging from creation of new RPAs to possibilities of automated systems. Teaming with industry will enable the rapid advancement of equivalent RPA capabilities in a compact, cost benefiting and operationally successful family of SUAS focused on Air Force roles and mission.

“There is so much more that can be done with SUAS,” Baker said. “SUAS will enable new operational concepts like teaming, swarming and loyal wingman, which allow for a single operator to control large numbers of platforms.”

Additionally, with infinitely new sensors and payloads available across the globe, the incorporation of automation and novel analytical approaches will be required to efficiently and effectively manage the Air Force's processing, exploitation and dissemination to alleviate potentially overwhelming manpower requirements.

Looking beyond the next decade, SUAS and RPA capabilities will have the potential to meet many surveillance and C4ISR roles for the Air Force. The future of the Air Force’s RPA programs will be continuously evolving to allow the Air Force to be the leader in air, space and cyberspace.

Public Affairs Information

Tours of the 12th Flying Training Wing are provided to various community organizations, high schools, businesses, and academic military recruitment programs to educate their members about the 12th FTW mission.

Due to the high volume of requests and limited public affairs resources, tours and static displays are limited.

Please submit all requests in writing to the 12th FTW Public Affairs by email to 12ftw.pa.1@us.af.mil at least three weeks but no more than six weeks in advance. You may also call 210-652-1272.

Tours are not available on weekends and may be cancelled at any time because of increased security measures or mission requirements. The 12th FTW does not host tours of Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph at-large. To schedule a tour of JBSA-Randolph, please contact JBSA-Randolph Public Affairs at 502abw.pa.official@us.af.mil or dial 210-652-4410.

If desired, requestors must arrange all meals. PA will provide contact information to base eateries. Modified tours will be granted for those with limited mobility - this must be stated on the tour request. If not stated, it is assumed that mobility is not an issue.