Retiring about 250 fighters a year. Making way for the new aircraft. It is the logistics tail that drives everything. Every time you remove a tail, that frees up money and space. They are being pretty aggressive with the retirements, but considering that the new aircraft can be worth 2-3 times the older aircraft in combat capability, it is reasonable. They do need to crank up the F-47 production line.
The A-10s are a strange duck in the process. The Air Force has been looking to retire them for a long time. However, the Army and the Air Force have an agreement that the Air Force will provide dedicated close air support aircraft to support the Army. The Army doesn’t see multi roll aircraft like the F-35s as suitable. That is because they can be redirected to more important tasking. But major ground warfare is going away. And the Air Force is rapidly becoming a “Can’t Touch This” force. I think A-10s are great, but they are rapidly running out of roles to play.
Send in the drones....
Retiring about 250 fighters a year. Making way for the new aircraft. It is the logistics tail that drives everything. Every time you remove a tail, that frees up money and space. They are being pretty aggressive with the retirements, but considering that the new aircraft can be worth 2-3 times the older aircraft in combat capability, it is reasonable. They do need to crank up the F-47 production line.
The A-10s are a strange duck in the process. The Air Force has been looking to retire them for a long time. However, the Army and the Air Force have an agreement that the Air Force will provide dedicated close air support aircraft to support the Army. The Army doesn’t see multi roll aircraft like the F-35s as suitable. That is because they can be redirected to more important tasking. But major ground warfare is going away. And the Air Force is rapidly becoming a “Can’t Touch This” force. I think A-10s are great, but they are rapidly running out of roles to play.
We have a bunch in Europe don't we?
They may need those to help European citizens get rid of their Tyrannical government, invaded army and leftist nutcases.
Not until they pay their bills!