The United States Air Force (USAF) is facing increasing pressure due to its aging fleet of fighters, insufficient training time, and shortages of pilots and maintainers, requiring significant investment to rectify, according to a report by the Air & Space Forces Association’s Mitchell Institute. Experts argue that without substantial intervention, the USAF’s readiness could drastically deteriorate, and the current resources do not align with the National Defense Strategy. The report warns that underestimating the deficit in airpower could lead to grave consequences, potentially including loss in a major war. It calls for an investment surge, especially in acquiring more F-35s, to overcome the current crisis.
  

Key Points: 

1. The USAF’s fighter force has been deemed “geriatric” and insufficient for the nation’s expectations. The fleet’s average age is quite high, leading to increased maintenance costs and reduced flying hours for crews.
2. For the first time, Chinese pilots are getting more flying hours than those in the USAF, which could have significant implications on the potential for high-end warfare. The report argues that funding for the USAF has been disproportionately lower than for other branches of the military.
3. The report suggests that to achieve a sustainable 20-year refresh rate, the USAF needs to acquire 109 fighters a year. It also strongly emphasizes the need to continue with F-35 upgrades and development of a force-sizing construct.
4. It is also recommended to harness cost-per-effect analysis for better decision-making and to ensure testing does not delay fielding. Concerns were raised about the industrial base’s capacity to meet the required production levels.
5. The report also urges attention to human capital, particularly addressing the fighter pilot shortage and lack of qualified maintainers. Guard and Reserve forces should not bear the brunt of coming divestments, and the report also underscores the strategic value of allied fighter forces flying the F-35.

Source: https://www.airandspaceforces.com/new-study-usaf-cash-fighter-fleet-collapse/