A classified report delivered to Congress has sounded an alarm regarding the United States Air Force’s fighter jet inventory, suggesting it is dangerously insufficient for winning future conflicts. The ‘Long-Term USAF Fighter Force Structure’ report asserts that the USAF requires 1,558 combat-ready aircraft to effectively conduct operations and minimize risk, a substantial increase from its current operational strength. This numerical deficit, which insiders are calling a critical ‘wake-up call,’ could leave the U.S. exposed to threats across multiple global theaters. Currently, the Air Force operates approximately 1,271 combat-coded fighters, a number that is expected to decrease further with the planned retirement of older aircraft like the A-10. The report defines a threshold of 1,367 fighters as ‘medium risk,’ highlighting the precarious state of current readiness. Reaching the target of 1,558 fighters would necessitate a significant 24% expansion of the fleet, the largest in decades. The path to modernizing the Air Force’s aging fleet is fraught with challenges. While the F-35A Lightning II, F-15EX Eagle II, and the B-21 Raider stealth bomber are intended to spearhead this transition, progress has been hampered by delays in critical software updates for the F-35 and production issues. The continued reliance on older aircraft, such as the F-15E Strike Eagle, requires ongoing, costly maintenance and upgrades, while aging platforms like the A-10 are being phased out. Adding to these concerns is a dwindling pool of trained pilots, impacted by training backlogs and retention challenges. The Air Force’s strategy includes leveraging artificial intelligence through the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) initiative, aiming to deploy autonomous drones as wingmen. Although potentially adding up to 1,000 drones to the fleet, the efficacy of these unmanned systems in replacing human pilots in complex combat scenarios remains a significant question. The report’s findings emphasize the urgent need for decisive action, including sustained investment and industrial enhancement, to rebuild and modernize the U.S. Air Force’s fighter capabilities for the demands of modern warfare.
