At a Historic Low, Air Force Fleet Size Will Keep Shrinking, Top Planner Says

At a Historic Low, Air Force Fleet Size Will Keep Shrinking, Top Planner Says - Chris Gordon

"...In its fiscal 2025 budget, the Air Force plans to reduce its fleet below 5,000 aircraft for the first time in its history as an independent service...

Moore said the service had to make tough choices due to the Fiscal Responsibility Act, which capped spending at a one percent rise in fiscal 2025 before inflation...a key reason the Air Force says it can only afford 60 new fighters—42 F-35s and 18 F-15EXs—in 2025 instead of its long-term goal of 72 new fighters per year...
But Moore was clear: if the service had a bigger budget, it would have more airplanes...