The Air Force Aviation Investment Challenge

Abstract

The United States Air Force is in the midst of an ambitious aviation modernization program, driven primarily by the age of its current aircraft fleets. Four major programs are in procurement, with five more in research and development (R and D).The need to replace several types of aircraft simultaneously poses challenges to future budgets, as the new programs compete with existing program commitments and normal program growth under a restricted service topline. The impending expiration of caps imposed by the Balanced Budget Act coincides with when modernization programs can be expected to experience the most growth, but does not necessarily offer sufficient relief to avoid program cuts or other funding approaches. To meet its modernization requirements, the Air Force may need to revise that topline, defer or delay other programs (including possibly reducing the quantity of aircraft already in procurement), or find other sources of funding to carry all its plans to fruition.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 17, 2015
Accession Number
AD1000789

Entities

People

  • Jeremiah Gertler

Organizations

  • Library of Congress

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Autonomy
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Budgets
  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Ballistic Missile Submarines
  • Ballistic Missiles
  • Budgets
  • Cargo Aircraft
  • Department Of Defense
  • Federal Budgets
  • Fighter Aircraft
  • Investments
  • Military Aviation
  • Military Budgets
  • Procurement
  • Refueling In Flight
  • Tanker Aircraft

Readers

  • Aviation Science / Aeronautics.
  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Government and Public Administration Law.