Alternatives for Modernizing U.S. Fighter Forces
Abstract
The United States Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps maintain an inventory of approximately 3,500 fixed-wing fighter and attack aircraft that provide unsurpassed air-to-air and air-to-ground combat capabilities. Most of those aircraft were purchased at high annual rates during the 1980s, however, and are expected to reach the end of their service life at similarly high rates over the next decade. To counteract those impending retirements and simultaneously modernize their fleets, the service branches have outlined acquisition plans for equipping their force structures with new aircraft over the next 25 years. Specifically, the Air Force plans to replace the A-10 Thunderbolt II, the F-16 Fighting Falcon, and the F-15 Eagle with two types of aircraft: the F-22 Raptor and the F-35A Lightning II, the land-based version of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).1 The Navy and Marine Corps plan to replace the AV-8B Harrier and F/A-18A/B/C/D Hornet with three types of aircraft: the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet; the F-35B, the short takeoff vertical landing version of the JSF; and the F-35C, the carrier-based version of the JSF.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA500823
Entities
Organizations
- Congressional Budget Office