The Wave of the Present

The 21st Century has posed challenges that have forced the Air Force to re-examine its identity and culture. Aircraft flying over hostile skies these days may not even contain pilots. Remotely-piloted aircraft have resurfaced in the past 15 years and have taken center stage in current conflicts. The Air Force is facing a period of cultural friction while integrating this artifact since it challenges some of the Air Force's basic underlying assumptions. This study addresses the cultural challenges the Air Force will face as the role of remotely-piloted aircraft expands, and it gives insight into how Air Force culture will shape and be shaped by these artifacts. The study begins by analyzing organizational culture and identifying two of the Air Force's basic underlying assumptions: pilots fly aircraft, and pilots lead the Air Force.