Future of the USAF

PoppaPolski

5-Year Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2013
Messages
5
Hey all:

With these recent budget cuts, changing global communities, and ever changing attitude towards the U.S military, I was curious if anyone has any insight on the the current long term goals for our United States Air Force. Besides the clearly stated mission of "..fly, fight, and win..in air, space and cyberspace." I believe these are very confusing times for anyone wishing to enter any of their respective service academies in order to serve a specific role in our military. Personally, my dream has always been to become a fighter pilot in our Air Force. I know that the chances of this becoming a reality, due to the dwindling numbers of fighters needed,are fading but I will fight for my opportunity with everything I have. I am curious to know if this may turn around in the future. If anyone has any insight on the specific direction our Air Force is currently taking I, along with many other future American warriors, would greatly appreciate it!
 
Raises hand -- Pick me! Pick me!

I work in the HQ AF staff in the Future Fighter Requirements office (specifically for the F-35). VERY much aware of what the AF WANTS to do in the future in regards to force structure. Also aware that these wishes need to be balanced against fiscal reality. That being said, I'll give you some hints: the AF's current top 3 acquisition priorities are: F-35, Long Range Strike - Bomber, and KC-46. Recapitalizing our aircraft. Also, the leadership has come out and said we intend to NOT cut these programs as part of the sequestration.

I'll also leave you with this. I've seen the AF's plans for the next 50 or so years. Heck, I helped write them. Pilots will be around when your kids are asking this same question. Most likely, they'll be pilot slots when your grandkids ask as well....
 
I work in the HQ AF staff in the Future Fighter Requirements office (specifically for the F-35). VERY much aware of what the AF WANTS to do in the future in regards to force structure. Also aware that these wishes need to be balanced against fiscal reality. That being said, I'll give you some hints: the AF's current top 3 acquisition priorities are: F-35, Long Range Strike - Bomber, and KC-46. Recapitalizing our aircraft. Also, the leadership has come out and said we intend to NOT cut these programs as part of the sequestration.

I'll also leave you with this. I've seen the AF's plans for the next 50 or so years. Heck, I helped write them. Pilots will be around when your kids are asking this same question. Most likely, they'll be pilot slots when your grandkids ask as well....

Is the USAF going to be buying the F-35 by unit or are they going to be buying many at once? Could be a huge change in price depending on how the buy it...
 
Is the USAF going to be buying the F-35 by unit or are they going to be buying many at once? Could be a huge change in price depending on how the buy it...

Current plan: the AF intends to replace all of our F-16s and A-10s with F-35As. Buying F-35As through the 2030s, with the plan to buy 80/year by 2020 or so, with a total purchase of 1763 of them. Of course, these numbers MAY change based on current fiscal realities. BUT, we will still buy a bunch a year for a while. And yes, reducing that number will impact the price of each, but not by as much as some people like to crow about.
 
Good to know Bullet! I was concerned drones might crowd them out to some degree. Thanks!
 
Drones are not nearly as cost effective as presumed

A recent study showed that it takes over 80 crew to operate a drone. Thus it is not nearly the cost effective option some had hoped.
 
Thanks for the Help

The OP posed a question that a lot of prospective cadets and prospective cadets' parents are wondering about as well given the current economic/political climate. I just want to thank people like Bullet who post regularly with very helpful information. As a dad of a possible USAFA cadet, I hope you (Bullet) and others like you stick around to get my son and myself through this very interesting process.
 
RPA

RPAs (Remotely Piloted Aircraft - old school UAVs :wink:) will increase too. They cost less to operate, provide longer coverage with eyes on target verse traditional aircraft, some also provided precision strike capabilites all without the risk of loss of our highly trained aircrews.

Not crazy at all about the new medal for RPA pilots being higher than the Bronze Star. While the role is very important, the risk is next to nill for those flying from the U.S.
 
RPAs (Remotely Piloted Aircraft - old school UAVs :wink:) will increase too. They cost less to operate, provide longer coverage with eyes on target verse traditional aircraft, some also provided precision strike capabilites all without the risk of loss of our highly trained aircrews.

Not crazy at all about the new medal for RPA pilots being higher than the Bronze Star. While the role is very important, the risk is next to nill for those flying from the U.S.

I just wanted to share this with you guys....

http://www.theglobaledition.com/drone-pilot-ejects-from-office-chair/
 
RPAs (Remotely Piloted Aircraft - old school UAVs :wink:) will increase too. They cost less to operate, provide longer coverage with eyes on target verse traditional aircraft, some also provided precision strike capabilites all without the risk of loss of our highly trained aircrews.

Not crazy at all about the new medal for RPA pilots being higher than the Bronze Star. While the role is very important, the risk is next to nill for those flying from the U.S.

You can find my thoughts on the RPA issue Here . Some good discussion, if you ignore the snipping on some of the replies.

RPAs? Useful, in certain scenarios, and will continue to get more useful. Ready to take over the entire spectrum of aerial combat operations? Hardly.
 
You can find my thoughts on the RPA issue Here . Some good discussion, if you ignore the snipping on some of the replies.

RPAs? Useful, in certain scenarios, and will continue to get more useful. Ready to take over the entire spectrum of aerial combat operations? Hardly.[/QUOTE]

I never said RPAs would "take over the entire spectrum of aerial combat operations". With the impact of reduced budgets, DoD will be forced to look at all options to protect our troops on the ground.

As we all know, there is not one airframe that can do every type of mission. The USAF is the best in the world because we are constantly reconfiguring and rebalancing our forces to the worlds ever changing environment while living with constrained budgets.

Thanks for the link on the medal issue. I know that is a touchy subject.
 
You can find my thoughts on the RPA issue Here . Some good discussion, if you ignore the snipping on some of the replies.

RPAs? Useful, in certain scenarios, and will continue to get more useful. Ready to take over the entire spectrum of aerial combat operations? Hardly.[/QUOTE]

I never said RPAs would "take over the entire spectrum of aerial combat operations". With the impact of reduced budgets, DoD will be forced to look at all options to protect our troops on the ground.

As we all know, there is not one airframe that can do every type of mission. The USAF is the best in the world because we are constantly reconfiguring and rebalancing our forces to the worlds ever changing environment while living with constrained budgets.

Thanks for the link on the medal issue. I know that is a touchy subject.

RPV are fine for punching lesser foes in the chops, but since they are satellite guided, what if we face someone who can compromise those systems? There have also been studies that indicate that there are substantial costs in flying RPV's and the economic case for them is not as compelling as some might suggest.

http://www.armedforcesjournal.com/2012/09/11158440
 
Bullet, I just want to also add a big thank you for your service and the excellent advise that you and others put on this forum. Like one of the other posts from a potential cadet parent, I have been following this forum for the past 5 years. DS graduates this May with the Class of 2013.

I found your first response to this very interesting and actually sent it to him to take a look at. He will be going to pilot training and selected for ENJJPT after graduation so your information is very timely and relevant to us.

Once again, thank you for making this forum what it is. I have learned so much from it the past five years - especially the years through the application process and In-processing.
 
Current plan: the AF intends to replace all of our F-16s and A-10s with F-35As. Buying F-35As through the 2030s, with the plan to buy 80/year by 2020 or so, with a total purchase of 1763 of them. Of course, these numbers MAY change based on current fiscal realities. BUT, we will still buy a bunch a year for a while. And yes, reducing that number will impact the price of each, but not by as much as some people like to crow about.

As far as strategic capability go, will there be a more viable replacement for the A-10 or will the F-35 be the only "attack" aircraft for this generation?
 
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