The United States Air Force is grappling with a significant challenge in its fighter jet program, particularly concerning the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
According to The Telegraph, the Air Force is struggling to acquire new jets while its existing fleet rapidly ages, creating a pressing issue for the service's combat readiness.
The F-35 program, which has been in development for approximately 30 years, has faced numerous setbacks. Most recently, a yearlong freeze on deliveries due to software testing problems has exacerbated the situation. Although deliveries have resumed, the pace is slow, and the timing couldn't be worse for the Air Force as it attempts to modernize its fleet.
F-35 Program History and Challenges
The Joint Strike Fighter program was initially conceived as a solution to provide a versatile, stealth-capable aircraft for the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps. The idea was to create different versions of the same basic jet that could operate from land, aircraft carriers, and smaller assault ships without catapults or arrester wires.
One of the primary selling points of the F-35 was its projected cost-effectiveness. The plan relied on economies of scale, with multiple branches of the U.S. military and allied nations purchasing the aircraft. However, as budgets decreased and projected orders fell, costs rose significantly, and the commonality between variants diminished.
The program has been plagued by delays and cost overruns. The recent delivery freeze, caused by software testing issues, has further complicated matters. While deliveries have resumed, the jets are currently limited to training missions and won't be combat-ready until next year.
Delivery Schedule and Fleet Modernization
The Air Force's fighter jet acquisition schedule has been severely impacted by the F-35 program's issues. In 2023, the service received no new F-35s, a stark contrast to its usual annual intake of 40 to 50 jets. The delivery projections for the coming years are not encouraging, with only 51 expected in 2024, 57 in 2025, and a mere 25 in 2026.
This slow delivery rate is particularly problematic given the Air Force's aging fleet. The service has requested permission to retire 250 older jets in 2025, including F-15 Eagles, F-16 Falcons, and A-10 Thunderbolts. However, with only 90 new jets (mostly F-35s) planned as replacements, the overall fleet size would shrink to fewer than 5,000 planes for the first time in Air Force history.
The original plan, formulated in 2007, aimed to complete the delivery of all 1,760 F-35s to the Air Force by 2035. Due to various setbacks, the current projection pushes the final delivery to 2049, leaving the service in a precarious position regarding its fighter jet capabilities.
Impact on Future Fighter Development
The ongoing issues with the F-35 program have broader implications for the Air Force's future fighter jet development. Air Force leaders have begun to reconsider the Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, which was intended to develop a replacement for the F-22 Raptor.
The potential $60 billion price tag for 200 new stealth fighters under the NGAD program has led officials to question its feasibility. If the program is abandoned, the F-35 would become the only stealth fighter in production or development for the Air Force. This situation raises concerns about the service's ability to maintain air superiority in future conflicts.
Furthermore, the possibility of the F-35 having to replace the 180 F-22 Raptors as they age out of service adds another layer of complexity to the Air Force's fighter jet dilemma. The slow delivery rate of F-35s makes this scenario particularly challenging.
Conclusion
The U.S. Air Force faces a significant challenge in modernizing its fighter jet fleet. The F-35 program's delays and cost overruns have created a bottleneck in acquiring new aircraft. The potential abandonment of the NGAD program further complicates the Air Force's future fighter capabilities. With delivery projections extending to 2049, the service must navigate a complex path to maintain its air superiority in the coming decades.
