-
Programme
The conference will be split into four sessions, divided across four key themes:
Theme 1: ‘The Utility of Air and Space Power in Sub-Threshold and ‘Grey Zone’ Scenarios’ will examine the complex geopolitical landscape and the rise of unfriendly activity across a range of domains that falls below the threshold of actual conflict or direct military action. This theme will focus on how air, space and cyber technologies can be utilised and protected in an ever-widening spectrum of strategic competition.
Theme 2: ‘Emerging Technology and Innovation: New Ways of Delivering Air and Space Power’ will offer military and industry perspectives on the direction of travel for future air and space applications, equipment and doctrine. The ability to seamlessly exploit and safeguard the air and space domains is essential to maximising the effectiveness of emerging technologies and concepts.
Theme 3: ‘Developing Our People: The Challenge and the Opportunity’ will draw on best practice from international allies and partners to examine how air and space professionals can best be prepared to meet the challenges of a future partially defined by multi-domain operations.
Theme 4: ‘Collective Approaches to Multi-Domain Operations’ will explore how harnessing capabilities across all domains will be key to gaining decisive advantage, whether acting independently or in a Joint, Allied or Coalition context. The RAF’s recent re-formation of Number 11 Group as a dedicated Multi-Domain Operations Group reflects its commitment to achieving seamless command, control and execution across environmental boundaries. This session will include perspectives from the Joint arena and international partners.
AVM Gerry Mayhew
Former Assistant Chief of the Air Staff
AM (Ret’d) Greg Bagwell CB CBE
President of the Air and Space Power Association
Wednesday 17th July (Day 1)
| Timing | Activity | Speaker | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
0800-1300 | Registration | ||
0900 | Conference opens | Group Captain Jim Beldon Director of Defence Studies | |
0905 | In-depth study 1 | Air Vice-Marshal Ian Gale Assistant Chief of the Air Staff and Air Commodore Phil Lester Head Air & Space, Development Concepts & Doctrine Centre | In this opening session, Air Vice-Marshal Ian Gale and Air Commodore Phil Lester will examine the changing strategic context in which air and space power operates, dissecting the impact of the ‘gray’ zone on UK military concepts and doctrine, whilst exploring how the principle of multi-domain operations dovetails with the UK’s Joint Action doctrine. |
0950 | In-depth study 2 | Air Vice-Marshal Simon Rochelle Chief of Staff Capability | Air Vice-Marshal Simon Rochelle will provide a detailed update to the Conference on Royal Air Force’s future capability developments, such as the Future Combat Air System Technology Initiative (FCAS TI) and allied initiatives in the air, space and cyber domains. |
1030 | Coffee break & networking | ||
1100 | In-depth study 3 (via VTC) | Air Commodore Justin Reuter AOC 83 EAG / UK ACC | Reporting directly from his operational HQ in the Middle East, Air Commodore Justin Reuter will brief the Conference on the Royal Air Force’s operations in the region, exploring how the RAF is contributing to international security and adapting to the operational environment that has emerged following the military defeat of Daesh in Iraq and Syria. |
1130 | In-depth study 4 | Major-General Tonje Skinnarland Chief of the Royal Norwegian Air Force | In its 75th Anniversary Year, the Royal Norwegian Air Force is embracing the capabilities needed to address the threats posed by an increasingly competitive strategic environment. Working in harmony with the Royal Air Force on the P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft programme, the Royal Norwegian Air Force is similarly re-equipping with the world-leading F-35 Lightning II. Major General Tonje Skinnarland, Chief of the Royal Norwegian Air Force, will describe how Norway is working with the UK and its NATO allies to meet the emerging strategic challenges they face. |
1200-1300 | Lunch | ||
1300 | Conference Admin | Group Captain Jim Beldon Director of Defence Studies | |
1305 | Conference Introduction | Air Marshal (Retd) Greg Bagwell President of the Air & Space Power Association | |
1310 | Keynote 1 | Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier Chief of the Air Staff | In his final address to an Air and Space Power Conference, the RAF’s Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier, will offer his thoughts on the forthcoming panel sessions, framing the debate for the remainder of the Conference.
|
1335 | Session 1: The Utility of Air and Space Power in Sub-Threshold and ‘Grey Zone’ Scenarios | Chair – Air Commodore Phil Lester Head Air & Space, Development Concepts & Doctrine Centre Mr Angus Lapsley Director-General Strategy & International, MOD Dr Kori Schake Deputy Director-General, The International Institute for Strategic Studies Air Marshal Edward Stringer Director General JFD & DA Dr Charles Kriel, Associate Fellow at the King’s Centre for Strategic Communications, King’s College, London; Founder, Kriel Agency; Special Adviser, House of Commons DCMS Select Committee | Air Commodore Phil Lester will return to the stage to lead the opening discussion examining how air and space power might best be used to meet the threats, and exploit the opportunities, present in the sub-threshold ‘gray’ zone. With contributions from leading air power practitioner and thinker Air Marshal Edward Stringer, and stimulating contributions from Angus Lapsley, Director General Strategy and International, MOD, IISS Director-General Dr Kori Schake and Dr Charles Kriel, special adviser to the House of Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Select Committee and adviser on the Committee’s Report on Disinformation and ‘Fake News’, this session will set the conceptual baseline for the remainder of the Conference. |
1445 | Coffee & networking | ||
1515 | Session 2: Emerging Technology and Innovation: New Ways to Deliver Air and Space Power | Chair: Air Vice-Marshal Simon Rochelle Chief Of Staff Capability Mr Thomas Wilson Sector Vice President, Innovation Systems, Northrop Grumman Mr Jason Cowell Chief Technology Officer Electronic Warfare, Leonardo Mr Simon Jewell Strategy Director, BAE Systems Air Mr John G Clark Vice President Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance and Unmanned Aerial Systems, Lockheed Martin Air Vice-Marshal Chris Moore Director Operations, Information Systems & Services | The need to turn emerging technologies rapidly into military capabilities has arguably never been in such demand. Trends such as the democratisation of cheap but effective technology are challenging traditional notions of Defence procurement and capability development. Led by Air Vice-Marshal Simon Rochelle, this discussion will examine how Defence primes and the Royal Air Force are finding new ways to exploit innovation and novel technologies to keep ahead of adversary capabilities. |
1645-1700 | Journal Launches and Awards | Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier Chief of the Air Staff & Air Vice-Marshal Ian Gale Assistant Chief of the Air Staff | The Assistant Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice-Marshal Ian Gale, will conclude the day’s discussions with a synopsis of the lessons identified so far, and offering his thoughts ahead of Thursday’s programme. After launching the RAF Centre for Air and Space Power’s flagship journals, Air Power Review, Air Power 2019 and the Chief of the Air Staff’s Reading List, he will invite the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier, to present the Royal Air Force Centre for Air and Space Power Studies 2019 academic awards to members of the Royal Air Force and others who have made major contributions over the last year to the development of air and space power thinking. |
1700 | Riverside Room Reception | Invited guests only |
Thursday 18th July (Day 2)
| Timing | Activity | Speaker | Challenge |
|---|---|---|---|
0800 | Registration | ||
0830 | Conference Admin | Group Captain Jim Beldon Director of Defence Studies | |
0835 | Keynote 2 | The Right Honourable Penny Mordaunt MP Secretary of State for Defence | Keynote address |
0910 | Keynote 3 | General David Goldfein Chief of Staff, United States Air Force Watch General Goldfein’s presentation here | Keynote address |
0945 | Session 3: Developing Our People: The Challenge and the Opportunity | Chair: Air Vice-Marshal Chris Elliot Chief of Staff Personnel Corporal Daniel Beagley Aerospace Operations Specialist Air Marshal Andrew Turner Deputy Commander (Capability) and Air Member for Personnel Air Chief Marshal (Retd) Sir Brian Burridge CEO, Royal Aeronautical Society | The changing character of war, the transformation of the strategic landscape, and the rate of technological innovation will challenge professional airmen and women – at all ranks – to be more adaptable and flexible than ever before as they deliver the Next Generation Air Force. Chaired by the RAF’s Chief of Staff for Personnel, Air Vice-Marshal Chris Elliot, the panel comprising the RAF’s new Air Member for Personnel, Air Marshal Andrew Turner, a junior member of the RAF, an international contributor and Air Chief Marshal (Retired) Sir Brian Burridge, will explore how airmen and women might best be prepared to meet the future challenges facing them. |
1045 | Coffee & networking | ||
1100 | Keynote 4 | Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach Chairman of the Military Committee, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation | As NATO celebrates its 70th anniversary, the Chairman of its Military Committee and former UK Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, explains how the Alliance is adapting to the challenges of a new era, and how it intends to synergise activities in multiple domains to deliver the collective security that the West has enjoyed since the Organisation’s foundation in 1949. |
1130 | Session 4: Collective Approaches to Multi-Domain Operations | Chair: Air Marshal Gerry Mayhew Deputy Commander (Operations) Rear Admiral Matt Briers Director Carrier Strike, Ministry of Defence Air Vice-Marshal Ian Duguid Air Officer Commanding Number 11 Group Major General Stephen Whiting Commander, 14th Air Force, Air Force Space Command; and Deputy Joint Force Space Component Commander, U.S. Strategic Command Watch Maj Gen Whiting’s presentation here Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld Chief of Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force | The RAF’s new Deputy Commander for Operations, Air Marshal Gerry Mayhew, will chair the final session which will examine in detail multi-lateral and collective approaches to exploiting the opportunities presented by multi-domain operations. Developing on the context set by Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach in the preceding keynote address, the Ministry of Defence’s Director Carrier Strike, Rear Admiral Matt Briers, and speakers from Australia and the USA, will join Air Vice-Marshal Ian Duguid, the commander of the RAF’s recently re-formed Number 11 Group, to explore how different Services and nations are collaborating across operating domains and national boundaries to enhance the collective capability of all. |
1250-1315 | In conversation with the Chief of the Air Staff Closing remarks | Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal (Retd) Greg Bagwell President of the Air & Space Power Association | To close ASPC 19, the President of the Air and Space Power Association, Air Marshal (Retired) Greg Bagwell, will take the opportunity to conduct a final conversation with the RAF’s outgoing Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier. Reflecting on the Conference’s proceedings, the pair will discuss the future of air and space power, and how it can best evolve to meet ever more demanding operational requirements, whilst exploiting battle-winning synergies with capabilities in other, multiple domains. |
1315-1415 | Lunch Conference closes |
