- The procurement challenges facing the Air Force will not be addressed in the FYDP.
- Key programs like KC-X, Next Gen Bomber, F-35, and CSAR-X have been delayed—deferring major acquisition to the 2020s.
- Aircraft like F-22 and E-10 were cancelled, leaving requirements unmet.
- It will take 48 years to recapitalize the fleet at this rate.
- Subtracting MQ-9, MC-12, LAAR, which are not replacing present systems, the AF is at an 87-year replacement rate.
- Acquisition delays mean that the legacy fleet will have to operate into the next decade.
- Service life extension programs (SLEPs) will be required for most legacy systems—these aircraft are operating beyond their design lives.
- SLEPs, while necessary, divert finite budget resources away from new aircraft purchases and fail to address fundamental combat capability limitations inherent within the legacy fleet.
Significant Degradation of Capability with Current Acquisition
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