Punchbowl News’ Post

In the second installment of The Future of Defense Aviation, we explore the role Congress plays in shaping the defense aviation industry. Read the latest edition now: https://lnkd.in/ewasWVSw

The first segment on the future of Defense Aviation via Punchbowl.

moving forward...

1949: The YF-94 Starfire first flew. Later, during May 1950, the F-94A reached operational service with Air Defense Command (ADC), its principal operator, and soon replaced the piston-engined North American F-82 Twin Mustang in the all-weather interceptor role. It was followed by the F-94B, a refined model that proved to have greater engine reliability and a more spacious cockpit. The F-94C was equipped with a thinner wing, a more powerful Pratt & Whitney J48 engine, and a new Hughes E-5 fire control system.

Esteemed colleagues here is another interesting articles. The A10 Warthog one of the best battlefield support aircraft and love by the troops it was designed to support is being retired. I guess they will use the F35 which does not even compare to replace this great aircraft. https://lnkd.in/gKfiXcPt

"The FGS paradigm significantly contributes to augmenting the operational readiness of #fighter squadrons, acting as a linchpin in national defense endeavors," writes Capt Marion Bradley. Read it in the 𝑬𝒙𝒄𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑹𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 Spring '24 edition!

Challenges in Targeting U.S. Aircraft Carriers: A Complex Defense Landscape

Some House lawmakers are advocating to prevent the Air Force from retiring older F-22A Raptor fighters and extend the production of F-15EX Eagle II jets. The proposed fiscal 2025 National Defense Authorization Act by the House Armed Services Committee aims to keep the F-15EX in production for an additional year, contrary to the service's initial plan. Additionally, the Act would permit the service to retire 56 A-10 Warthogs, part of the Air Force's budget request to save over $2 billion. The Air Force had intended to retire 250 aircraft in FY25, including 32 Block 20 F-22 jets, citing high combat preparation costs. Similarly, the plan was to halt the procurement of Boeing-made F-15EX after FY25. However, the committee's proposed NDAA would reverse these decisions, emphasizing the importance of F-22s for future warfare, being recognized as the best air superiority jets globally. Moreover, the NDAA would pause the retirement of 26 F-15E Strike Eagles with less effective engines, pending a Pentagon study on the Air Force's fighter requirements for potential conflicts, particularly with China. While other retirements, such as 56 A-10 Warthogs and various Eagle and Falcon fighters, are permitted in the Act, it would allocate $271 million to acquire 24 additional F-15EXs in 2026, maintaining Boeing's production line for the jet. The proposed changes reflect lawmakers' efforts to balance the Air Force's modernization needs, ensuring a strategic fleet composition for future defense operations. #military #defense #defence #aerospace #aviation #aircraft #aircrafts #airplane #airplanes #aviationlovers #militaryaviation #militaryaircraft #fighterjet #engineering #technology #militarytechnology #defensetechnology #defenseinnovation #defenseindustry #airforce

Security professionals need to learn lessons from all walks of life, not least from the military: Last month, defense analyst T.X. Hammes estimated the following. The delivered cost of a single F-35A is around $130 million, but buying and operating that plane throughout its lifecycle will cost at least $460 million. He estimated that a single Chinese Sunflower suicide drone costs about $30,000 -- so you could purchase 16,000 Sunflowers for the cost of one F-35A. And since the full mission capable rate of the F-35A has hovered around 50 percent in recent years, you need two to ensure that all missions can be completed -- for an opportunity cost of 32,000 Sunflowers. As Hammes concluded, “Which do you think creates more problems for air defense?” Sometimes many more cheaper and less quality "solutions" can be better than a few very high quality "solutions".