AFA.org: The New Air Force Fighter Debate

Published: Sep 15, 2004
Source: www.afa.org



Over the next 15 years, the size of the Air Force’s fighter fleet will decline by at least 10 percent but perhaps as much as 25 percent. This will constitute the largest reduction in the fighter force since the end of the Cold War, but it is not driven by a diminishing threat. It will be the result of increasing combat capability.

Improvements in weapons, sensors, and data-sharing powers now being added to current fighters and designed into future ones will bring greater combat effectiveness, even though the number of aircraft will be reduced.continue..