US Air Force needs to “rebuild to win”, says deputy chief of staff of operations
A B-1B Lancer in flight. (Photo: US Air Force)
Aging aircraft, fewer platforms and a lack of replacements for retired systems has impacted the US Air Force’s lethality and training capabilities, according to the force’s deputy chief of staff for operations.
Lt Gen Adrian Spain Deputy Chief of Staff of the US Air Force for Operations has declared during a recent session at the Senate Armed Force Committee that “today’s Air Force is the oldest and smallest it has ever been”.
Nearly half of the US Air Force’s (USAF’s) inventory has already passed its design service life as Shephard previously reported. Currently, a number of helicopters and AEW&C, combat, ISR, transport and training aircraft having been in operation for more than three decades.
In the case of fighters, for instance, in the 1990s, the USAF had 4,000 jets which were in service for an average
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![UK SMEs remain vulnerable in effort to help build sovereign capabilities, JCNSS report warns]()
UK SMEs remain vulnerable in effort to help build sovereign capabilities, JCNSS report warns
The report comes as heads of industry bodies warn that the delayed defence spending plan has left smaller and medium sized businesses in stasis, unable to plan or seek out further investment.
-
![Norway revitalises effort to acquire a tactical-class UAV with $103 million competition]()
Norway revitalises effort to acquire a tactical-class UAV with $103 million competition
Norway first scoped the requirement in 2022, and included it in a defence strategy document in 2023. The announcement of a new framework agreement appears to have breathed fresh life into the effort.
-
![March Drone Digest: Long-range, low-cost loitering munitions are changing warfare economics]()
March Drone Digest: Long-range, low-cost loitering munitions are changing warfare economics
The effective use of the Shahed-136 in the Iran war has highlighted the need for countries to acquire a domestically produced, low-cost, long-range loitering munition, with the US, Turkey and European nations all at various stages of developing a similar capability.
-
![US Air Force is eyeing cost-effective automated counter-drone solutions]()
US Air Force is eyeing cost-effective automated counter-drone solutions
The USAF is seeking on-the-move systems, subsystems or technologies capable of defending airbases and fixed and semi-fixed sites against small drone attacks.
-
![Long-range drone acquisition axed as Norway announces $11.75 billion spending uplift]()
Long-range drone acquisition axed as Norway announces $11.75 billion spending uplift
Norway’s funding boost will help the country reach 3.5% of GDP on defence spending by 2035, with autonomous systems part of the long list of priorities alongside frigate acquisition and development of a new Finnmark Brigade.
