FY2022 budget request delivers air power spending hit
A F-15EX on the ground at Eglin AFB, Florida. (Photo: USAF)
Unsurprisingly, fifth-generation fighter funding dominates air power spending in the latest US defence budget request, but the retirement of over 200 US Air Force aircraft and a one-year delay to MH-139A helicopter plans are among the more eye catching subplots this time around.
The US DoD FY2022 defence budget request runs at a deficit of $4.5 billion for aircraft procurement and associated items like research and spare parts, compared to FY2021 figures.
Overall, $52.4 billion has been requested for air power spending, marking the lowest level of funding since FY2018 when $49.9 billion was called for.
In line with previous requests, funding for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter far outstrips that of other procurements, with $12 billion requested for 85 aircraft, split between 48 F-35As (USAF), 17 F-35Bs (USMC) and 20 for the Department of the Navy (15 Navy and five USMC).
Additional funding
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