The Costs of the Administration's Plan for the Air Force through the Year 2010
Abstract
Under the Administration's current plan, Air Force budgets are expected to increase through 1993 to a level of about $88 billion. Budgets would then decline to $82 billion in 1995 and $78 billion in 1997. The Administration has not made public its plans for the years after 1997. Based on the Administration's statements and goals, however, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that even less funding might be needed beyond 1997 to carry out the Administration's likely plans. By the year 2000, the Air Force might need as little as $74 billion, under a lower estimate that assumes only limited growth in the future cost of weapons. The continued decline in budgets under the lower estimate reflects the expected completion of major procurement programs, principally the B-2 strategic bomber. Under a higher estimate, which assumes continued growth in the cost of weapons, the Air Force budget would decrease modestly and then return to its 1997 level by the year 2000. Beyond the year 2000, CBO projects that Air Force budgets would have to increase under the Administration's plan. In 2010 the Air Force budget could range between $81 billion under the lower estimate and $98 billion under the higher estimate. Increases would be needed to pay for major new weapons systems, including the F-22 tactical fighter, the multirole fighter (MRF), and the missile portion of the small intercontinental ballistic missile (SICBM) program.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA529901
Entities
People
- David Mosher
- Lane Pierrot
- William P. Myers
Organizations
- Congressional Budget Office