The Royal Air Force Development Plan – Strategy to Task

Figure 2 – Illustrative Objective

Coordination & Progress Monitoring

Development Objectives will be coordinated by Sponsoring Offi cers, normally at 2* level as individuals, although some objectives may need to be developed collectively, who will be responsible to the Chief of the Air Staff and the AFBSC for their delivery. Sponsoring Offi cers will direct and guide Objective Task Groups comprising staff (across boundaries) who are collectively involved in delivering the objectives. Sponsoring Offi cers will report progress annually to the Air Force Board Standing Committee 2* Executive Group. The 2* Executive Group will consider overall progress against the Development Plan, prioritizing and seeking Air Force Board Standing Committee direction as necessary.

The Strategy Framework

Development of the Royal Air Force will be coordinated within the framework described by Royal Air Force Strategy. Together, the Chief of the Air Staff’s Vision, and the FASOC that sets out the jointly endorsed concept for air power, represent the ‘ENDS’ or outcomes that are sought by the Strategy. The Strategic Themes represent the ‘WAYS’ or paths that will ensure actions are directed coherently towards the ‘ENDS’. The fi nal pieces of the strategy framework are the ‘MEANS’ to secure resources and execute plans. These will take the form of Development Objectives placed by time on each of the Strategic Themes. The relationship between the 3 elements of the Royal Air Force strategy framework is illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 1 - The Royal Air Force Strategy Framework

Development Objectives

Development Objectives will describe outcomes that are required along each Theme. Collectively, the Objectives on a Theme will satisfy the Vision for that Theme. Each Objective will be supported by a range of actions and enabling activities. A simplifi ed illustration of an Objective on the Rapid Global Mobility Theme is shown in Figure 2.

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t t tt

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1 The Medium Weight Capability Concept brings together a cluster of enablers (C17, A400M, SH, Future Rapid Effect System, Battlefi eld Radios) with JRRF assets into a force deployable in 7 days to provide aggressive, protected manoeuvre which is more capable than light forces, but more agile than traditional heavy forces.

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The Chief of the Air Staff’s Strategic Priorities

Support current operations

Maintain and further develop an agile, adaptable and capable expeditionary air power contribution to the UK’s overall Defence capability, which takes full account of emerging threats, concepts and technologies

Improve the accuracy, speed and coherence of our ability to deliver effects across the battlespace by developing and exploiting the UK’s network enabled capability

Introduce Typhoon into operational service and, as swiftly as possible, provide the aircraft with a robust all-weather multi-role capability

Harmonize our air power capability, concepts and doctrine with those of the US Forces

Ensure our structures, organization and processes deliver rapid and accurate decision making at the lowest appropriate level

Provide a World-class fl ying and ground training system and improve through-life education and training to produce well-motivated, highly trained, agile and adaptable warfi ghters

Develop a sustainable manning and personnel strategy that supports the RAF’s expeditionary capability and takes account of the prevailing social environment

Improve the quality of the RAF’s operational, technical and domestic infrastructure

Optimize investment in the RAF by delivering the outcomes of the Defence Airfi eld Review, further exploiting the benefi ts of the Defence Logistic Transformation Process, building a strong relationship with Industry, and eliminating waste and bureaucracy across every strand of RAF activity

Further enhance the image and reputation of the RAF with the public as a means of maintaining their enduring support and meeting our recruiting requirements

Improve our people’s ability to clearly articulate the contribution that air power - and the RAF - makes to UK Defence

‘An agile, adaptable and capable Air Force that, person for person, is second to none, and that makes a decisive air power

contribution in support of the UK Defence Mission’

The Royal Air Force Vision

Useful Defence and Royal Air Force Related Reference Material

UK Joint Vision: http://www.chots.mod.uk/jointwar/srcfl s/ukjv.pdf

High Level Operational Concept: http://www.chots.mod.uk/jointwar/srcfl s/hloc.pdf

Royal Air Force Development Plan: http://centre.defence.mod.uk/scripts/rafdevplan/other/default.htm

Royal Air Force Management Planhttp://www.publications.raf.r.mil.uk/live/document/docindex.asp

The point of contact for Royal Air Force Strategy is:

Directorate of Air Staff - Strategy Cmd & InfMOD Main Building Ext 81592DII: DAS-Strategy Cmd Inf

Version 2

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