Aerospace Group:

Air Force

Difficulty Ahead For USAF In Meeting 1,558 Combat Coded Fighter Goal

Frank Wolfe

Thursday, October 30th, 2025

SHARE:

Difficulty Ahead For USAF In Meeting 1,558 Combat Coded Fighter Goal

Pictured is U.S. Air Force Capt. James Dickens, 18th Fighter Interceptor Squadron pilot and assistant director of operations, checking his gear in an F-16 at Eielson AFB, Alaska on August 25th (U.S. Air Force Photo)

The Air Force will have problems meeting its goal of 1,558 combat-coded manned fighters in the next decade--a number laid out by the service in a required fighter force structure report to Congress under Section 142 of the fiscal 2025 National Defense Authorization Act. A major element of the long stretch will be the retirements of the A-10 close air support aircraft, the Block 20 F-22s by Lockheed Martin [LMT], the Boeing [BA] F-15Es with the RTX [RTX] Pratt &…

Congress

Trump Wants Second Reconciliation Bill On His Desk By June 1

President Donald Trump on Wednesday called on Congress to pass and send a second reconciliation bill to his desk by June 1. The deadline follows congressional Republicans’ backing a pursuit […]

Space

Upgrading Current GPS Ground System “Now a Viable Option,” As GPS OCX Problems Continue, Space Official Says

Upgrades to the GPS ground system–the Architecture Evolution Plan (AEP)–is an option under consideration by the Defense Department’s space acquisition chief, as problems continue in fielding the GPS Next Generation […]

Congress

Graham Says GOP To Move Ahead On Second Reconciliation Bill, With Defense Funds As Priority

Senate Budget Committee Chair Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Wednesday, with the White House’s backing, his panel will move “expeditiously” on crafting a second reconciliation bill, citing priorities for defense and […]

Pentagon

Hegseth Acknowledges Potential $200 Billion Iran Supplemental Request, Final Figure ‘Could Move’

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday acknowledged the Pentagon could potentially ask Congress for $200 billion in supplemental funding to support the ongoing operation against Iran and replenish munitions used […]