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
-
![Leonardo plans to fly uncrewed fighters alongside M-346 aircraft by mid-2026]()
Leonardo plans to fly uncrewed fighters alongside M-346 aircraft by mid-2026
The two uncrewed fighter aircraft will be made in conjunction with Baykar, which joined forces with Leonardo under LBA Systems in June 2025 to develop and produce uncrewed aerial systems for the international market.
-
![UK firm Skycutter comes out top in first US Drone Dominance Program competition]()
UK firm Skycutter comes out top in first US Drone Dominance Program competition
The startup was the only UK company to take part in the first Gauntlet for the programme, joining forces with its Ukraine partner to participate in the event.
-
![Switzerland faces procurement shake-up with reduced F-35 buy and five-year Patriot delays]()
Switzerland faces procurement shake-up with reduced F-35 buy and five-year Patriot delays
The reduction in the number of planned F-35A aircraft from 36 to 30 by the Swiss government comes due to budget constraints, with no firm plans to fill the gap despite “negative consequences”.
-
![What will the replacement of A-10s by F-35s mean for the US Air Force?]()
What will the replacement of A-10s by F-35s mean for the US Air Force?
The USAF plans to phase out its 162 in-operation A-10 Thunderbolt II Warthogs by the end of FY2026, replacing them with F-35As which will bring a leap in capabilities in terms of lethality, survivability and speed.
