US Air Force plan to retire 1,000 aircraft leads Congress to raise national security concerns
Part of the A-10 Thunderbolt II is expected to be phased out. (Photo: US Air Force)
The US Air Force has planned to retire more than 1,000 helicopters and AEW&C, combat, ISR, transport and training aircraft that have been in service for more than 30 years.
The US Air Force’s (USAF) plan to phase out more than 1,000 aircraft over the coming five years has become a cause of concern for the US Senate. Although the branch intended to replace part of its ageing inventory with new platforms, it cut $2 billion in procurement programmes in its FY2025 budget request.
During a recent hearing at the US Senate Committee on Appropriations, Republican senator Susan Collins (Maine) claimed the cuts, which could result in capability gaps in both the short and medium terms, would lead to “a much smaller air force”.
“Each budget request must account for both the threats we
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![Leonardo’s Proteus concludes ground tests with maiden flight on horizon]()
Leonardo’s Proteus concludes ground tests with maiden flight on horizon
The technology demonstrator forms part of a wider effort to help the Royal Navy explore the potential of uncrewed systems supporting its existing crewed aviation platforms.
-
![Airbus MQ-72C Lakota Connector progress on track ahead of pending USMC decision]()
Airbus MQ-72C Lakota Connector progress on track ahead of pending USMC decision
The MQ-7C uncrewed aircraft is currently undergoing further internal flight tests ahead of a government test event anticipated for next year.
-
![November Drone Digest: GA-ASI eyes Middle East for Gambit, Edge Group unveils new UAVs]()
November Drone Digest: GA-ASI eyes Middle East for Gambit, Edge Group unveils new UAVs
In November 2025, GA-ASI unveiled a new Gambit variant, the Gambit 6, and appears to be pitching the aircraft series to various customers in the Middle East, which is a fast-emerging CCA market. The Dubai Airshow also saw the unveiling of various Emirati aircraft from Edge Group.
-
![Baykar’s Kizilelma drone makes progress with first air-to-air kill]()
Baykar’s Kizilelma drone makes progress with first air-to-air kill
This test is the latest milestone achieved by the indigenous drone, destroying a target using a beyond-visual-range missile.
