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
-
![Trump’s drone directives win US industry support but questions remain over ability to challenge Chinese market dominance]()
Trump’s drone directives win US industry support but questions remain over ability to challenge Chinese market dominance
New presidential directives for UAV production are intended to remove bureaucratic barriers and support suppliers.
-
![Enhancing education: How CAE is embracing new technology to boost military training]()
Enhancing education: How CAE is embracing new technology to boost military training
In Conversation... Shephard's Gerrard Cowan talks to CAE's Marc-Olivier Sabourin about how the training and simulation industry can help militaries achieve essential levels of readiness by leveraging new technology, innovative procurement methods and a truly collaborative approach.
-
![Paris Air Show 2025: New capabilities, partnerships and next-gen programmes remain priority for industry]()
Paris Air Show 2025: New capabilities, partnerships and next-gen programmes remain priority for industry
As European countries increase their defence budgets, the Paris Air Show will look to how the aerospace industry’s responds, with programme progression, new technology and industrial partnerships all expected to take centre stage at Le Bourget.
-
![Paris Air Show 2025: Airbus Helicopters unveils new crewed-uncrewed teaming solution]()
Paris Air Show 2025: Airbus Helicopters unveils new crewed-uncrewed teaming solution
The solution, named HTeaming, has already been tested in flight with a Spanish Navy H135 helicopter and an Airbus Flexrotor uncrewed aerial system (UAS).
