Air Force eyes massive boost for F
Breaking Defense • • nation
Key Points:
- The Air Force plans to purchase 267 F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets, more than doubling previous projections, as part of a broader increase in military spending outlined in the fiscal 2027 budget.
- The FY27 budget requests 24 F-15EX jets and 38 F-35As, reflecting a strategy to maintain production lines for both aircraft amid rising defense budgets.
- The overall Air Force budget is expected to rise by approximately 25% to $267.7 billion, with procurement increasing by 30% and research and development by 27%, aiming to balance modernization and readiness.
- The Air Force plans to retire several aging aircraft, including U-2s, KC-135s, A-10s, and F-15Es, but will extend the operational life of some A-10 Warthogs until 2030 to maintain combat power during industrial base ramp-up.
- Funding for the Next Generation Air-refueling System (NGAS) has shifted to a new Advanced Tanker Systems program focused on mission systems, while the E-7 Wedgetail radar plane program continues development despite no FY27 funding request, following congressional direction.
