Tactical Aircraft Modernization: Issues for Congress

Abstract

This report provides an overview discussion on the modernization of U.S. military tactical aircraft, meaning fighter aircraft, strike-fighters, and attack planes. Tactical aircraft are a major component of U.S. military capability, and account for a significant portion of U.S. defense spending. In early 2009, the Air Force, Navy, and Marine collectively had an inventory of about 3,500 tactical aircraft. Current efforts for modernizing U.S. tactical aircraft center on three aircraft acquisition programs--the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program, the Air Force F-22 fighter program, and the Navy F/A-18E/F strike fighter program. For discussions of issues relating specifically to the F-35 program, the F-22 program, or the F/A-18E/F program, see CRS Reports RL30563, RL31673, and RL30624, respectively.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 09, 2009
Accession Number
ADA503183

Entities

People

  • Ronald O'Rourke

Organizations

  • Library of Congress

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerial Warfare
  • Aircraft Equipment
  • Aircraft Industry
  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Attack Aircraft
  • Electronically Scanned Array
  • Fighter Aircraft
  • Military Aircraft
  • Military Aviation
  • National Security
  • Tactical Aircraft
  • Tanker Aircraft
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Defense Technology Research and Development.
  • Naval Engineering and Maritime Security
  • Public Financial Management and Budgeting