The report acknowledges the uncertainty of future events, technologies, and threats but firmly identifies China as a significant adversary to U.S. national security. It warns that without major advancements in equipment, training, and operations, the Air Force and Space Force risk losing their competitive edge.
"Threats to our national security will still exist, and those threats will include both conventional and nuclear adversaries with the capacity and the will to challenge the interests, the values, and even the existence of the United States and its allies," the report states.
Kendall emphasized that the U.S. must make substantial improvements to remain competitive. "The Air Force will still be the centerpiece of resilient U.S. power projection in the future," he said. "But if we are going to be competitive, we have to make substantial improvements; we're going to need a lot more resources."
Presented at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the report reflects Kendall's personal input and aims to shape future planning for modernization, particularly through initiatives like the Reoptimize for Great Power Competition effort.
Kendall highlighted specific areas requiring focus, including a stronger Space Force. "We're going to need a much bigger, much more capable, much more powerful Space Force," he said. The report underscores the need for counter-space capabilities to combat China's growing militarization of space, which Kendall noted is designed to target and neutralize U.S. forces.
"The joint force won't be able to go anywhere or do anything unless we are able to protect it from targeting from space. We've got to get that capability developed," Kendall said.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and cyber capabilities also emerged as critical areas for investment, particularly with the development of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) integrated with platforms like the F-35. "We are committed to fielding these and at scale," Kendall said, clarifying that the adoption of CCAs is not merely experimental but a key part of the force structure's future.
Kendall also outlined the vision for next-generation warfare. Combat in 2050 will demand automation, long-range precision, and decisive operations in space. "Response times to bring effects to bear are very short," he said. "We're going to be in a world by 2050 where decisions will not be made at human speed. They're going to be made at machine speed. ... Fractions of a second matter."
Maintaining a robust nuclear deterrent remains a central concern. Kendall warned of growing risks as more nations acquire nuclear capabilities. "The broader issue of nuclear stability keeps me up at night," he said, adding that the proliferation of weapons and tactical nuclear strategies further complicates global security dynamics.
When addressing the topic of efficiency in government, Kendall emphasized the need for expertise and professionalism. Reflecting on past experiences, he said, "The past attempts at being more efficient, and I've been through some of them, generally say this: We're going to be more efficient, I'm taking 10% of your budget, be efficient. Job done. That's a cut. That's not an efficiency exercise."
Kendall concluded with a stark reminder of the stakes involved in the next 25 years. "There are two futures, and they are bookended by one in which the 2050 report is fulfilled and one in which a number of other factors prevent that from happening," he said.
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