How Many F-22s Does the Air Force Need?

While we're excited by Defense Secretary Gates's decision to halt production of the F-22 at 187 planes, there is a lot ofdisbelief and confusion surrounding this decision. The confusionstarted as soon as the decision was announced, when Tony Capaccio atBloomberg News asked Gates about it:
Q: The F-22 decision is going to get scrutinized, now that your budget has emerged from the shadows, so to speak. Can you give a sense of whether this was a close call or a no-brainer? And once--and why--why couldn't you have bought more? Why wouldn't--why wouldn't it fill the role that the Joint Strike Fighter will be filling, that you outlined?

GATES: For me, it was not a close call. And the basic conclusion was that, first ofall, we have fulfilled the program. I mean, it's not like we're killingthe F-22. We will have 187 of them. That has--the 183 of that has beenthe program of record, as I recall, since 2005. So we are completingthe F-22 program. And the military advice that I got was that there isno military requirement for numbers of F-22s beyond the 187.
Q: But the Air Force advice. They've been badgering you with all sorts of analysis that they'd need 60 more.
GATES: That was their advice as well.
Q: It was their advice as well...
GATES: Yes.
Q: ... that you didn't need more than 187?
GATES: Yes.
Q: Really? OK.
Air Force magazine has been working on figuring out whether this is really what the Air Force wants, given that Air Force National GuardChief General Craig McKinley said as recently as February 26 that theyneed more than 183--and yes, 187 is technically more than 183, but notmeaningfully so. Gates has been somewhat cagey, but has conceded thatsome services were clearly not happy with his decisions. But Air Forcemagazine found that even Gates's spokesman, Geoff Morrell, is unclearon the hopes of the Air Force versus the dreams of DoD:
Q: The Air Force has been saying for some time that183 is not enough. Gen. Schwartz said in his confirmation hearings that381 was too high but 183 was too few. Adm. Mullen said last fall thathe thought the Air Force's number was 60 more.
A: Mullen said the Air Force should get 60 more?
Q: Mullen said that it was his understanding that the Air Force wanted 'about 60' more F-22s.
A: Well, that was some time ago. And as I say, this process has been underway for some months.
Q: So, to put a fine point on it, the Air Force never recommended buying more than the 187 aircraft?
A: That is correct.
The fact that the Air Force won’t come out and openly disagree withGates may be an indicator that there is real reform happening far ashow business is done at DoD. And if so, Gates' procurement strategy notonly reflects an emphasis on prioritizing current military threats, butalso a method for effectively targeting the usual "guerilla warfare”employed by the services and the Hill to protect pet projects.
But one thing that there's absolutely no confusion about is thatCongress is prepared to fight back on these cuts. Needless to say,we're rooting for the public's best national security interests over Congress's parochial concerns.

Brazil may produce Russian fighter jets under license

MOSCOW: Russia may allow Brazil to produce its fifth-generation fighters under a license in the future, a senior Russian government official said in an interview with RIA Novosti.
"We are discussing with the well-known Brazilian company Embraer the transfer of technology and the constructionof facilities for the future licensed production of the aircraft,including the fifth-generation fighter," said Alexander Fomin, deputydirector of the Federal Service on Military-Technical Cooperation.
Russia's advanced multirole fighter is being developed by the Sukhoiaircraft maker, part of Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC),along with India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), under apreliminary intergovernmental agreement signed in October 2007.
The first prototype is scheduled to make its maiden flight before the end of 2009.
Last November, Russia and Brazil signed a series of agreements on military technology cooperation which emphasize the protection of intellectual property rights and technology secrets.
The agreements will facilitate the transfer of technology and the licensed production of the Russian aircraft in Brazil if Moscow decides to sign a contract with the South American country.
Meanwhile, Russia's Su-35 jet fighter is participating in an ongoingtender for the delivery of over 100 fighters to the Brazilian Air Force.
"We are actively participating in the Brazilian tender, which hasbeen reopened. It involves over 100 fighter planes. Russia has made abid in the tender with its Su-35 multirole fighter. The tender hasstiff requirements, involving not only the sale, but also thetransfer of technology. It is a key condition of the deal and Russia is ready to satisfy it," Fomin said.
Brazil wants a multirole fighter to protect its national airspace aswell as to keep track of smugglers in the Amazon basin and guard thecountry's offshore oil rigs. However, it also wants the multi-billiondollar contract to reenergize the domestic defense industry through home-grown production and as much technology transfer as can be afforded.

Airpower: B-1Bs deliver firepower

ASIA: Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces inIraq and International Security Assistance Force troops inAfghanistan during operations April 3, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.
In Afghanistan, an Air ForceB-1B Lancer bomber destroyed an anti-Afghan forces staging area andseveral enemy positions in the area around Now Zad using guided bombunit -31s and -38s. Enemy forces had targeted coalition units usingheavy machine guns and automatic weapons prior to the bomber's arrival.
Coalition ground forces called in several NavyF/A-18C Hornets and F/A-18E Super Hornets to hit enemy targets in thevicinity of Kajaki Dam, including an enemy mortar position, observationposts, communication tunnels and a spotter position in a walled compound.A variety of GBU-series precision weaponry was used to carry out thestrike, which took place in response to anti-Afghan mortar fire.

An F/A-18C and a coalition fighter aircraftused a GBU-12 and GBU-38, as well as a strafing pass to strikeanti-Afghan forces spotted gathering in a staging area near Musa Qala. Enemy forces were engaged in readying rockets for launch againstcoalition units. The coalition aircraft struck a large group of enemycombatants, while the Hornet hit a series of pillboxes and bunkers inthe area. The Hornet also attacked enemy targets in Now Zad followingreports of enemy fire there.
Near Qarah Bagh, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II flew a show offorce to suppress enemy mortar fire against a coalition outpost. Theaircraft passed over the enemy mortar position, expending flares,prompting enemy forces to end their indirect fire attack.
A pair of A-10s performed a show of force to deter enemy aggressionin the Sheykhabad region in response to enemy gunfire against acoalition convoy. The maneuver succeeded in ending the firefight so theconvoy could continue on its mission.
A coalition aircraft and an A-10 executed shows of force nearLashkar Gah and Nangalam to prevent enemy activity in those locations.The aircraft supported coalition ground forces carrying out securityand reconstruction efforts.
Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions.
In total, 74 close-air-support missions were flown in support ofISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and routepatrols.
Nineteen Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissanceaircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. Inaddition, two Navy aircraft provided tactical surveillance and reconnaissance.
In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 28 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom.These missions integrated and synchronized with coalition groundforces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch forreconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt hostileactivities.
Twenty-five Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part ofoperations in Iraq. In addition, three Air Force and coalition aircraftprovided tactical surveillance and reconnaissance.
Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and C-17 Globemaster IIIs providedintra-theater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations throughoutAfghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.
Approximately 125 airlift sortieswere flown, 500 tons of cargo were delivered and about 3,250 passengerswere transported. Airlift included approximately 75,600 tons of aerialresupply cargo airdropped over Afghanistan.
Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.
On April 2, Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 44 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.5 million pounds of fuel to 265 receiving aircraft.

Sweden Makes Gripen Jet Fighter Offer to Greece

Sweden has positioned itself as a contender for the Greek jetfighter program by offering up its Gripen as an alternative to theFrench Rafale, the Eurofighter Typhoon, and the Boeing F-18E Super Hornet.
Greece is pursuing a two-round procurement strategy in its pursuit of a new state-of-the-art combat aircraft.The first round is to conclude this year and calls for an initialprocurement of 40 aircraft with an option for a further 20. Deliverieswould then take place in 2010 and 2011.

The Swedish proposal includes 30-40 new-generation, multiroleGripens built to NATO specifications, with delivery coming 24 monthsafter the contract is signed.Sweden also is offering up an intermediate solution, whereby Gripens that are already operational are provided to Greeceas a bridge until the new-build models arrive. These could be in Greekservice within six months of the contract being approved.
In addition, Sweden is offering infrastructure and maintenance support for the Greek Gripens, as well as extensive industrial cooperation and technology transfer.

Boeing Unveils New International F-15 Configuration, the F-15SE

ST. LOUIS: The Boeing Company today in St. Louis unveiled the F-15 Silent Eagle (F-15SE), a new F-15 configuration designed to meet the future needs of international customers.
"The F-15 Silent Eagle is designed to meet our internationalcustomers' anticipated need for cost-effective stealth technologies, aswell as for large and diverse weapons payloads," said Mark Bass, F-15Program vice president for Boeing. "The innovativeSilent Eagle is a balanced, affordable approach designed to meet future survivability needs."

Improvements in stealth include coatings and treatments on theaircraft. With the added advantage of redesigned conformal fuel tanks(CFTs) that allow for internal weapons carriage, theSilent Eagle becomes a very attractive fighter for Boeing's international customers.
Depending on the specific mission, the customer can use the CFTs that are designed for internal carriage or change back to the traditional CFTs for optimum fuel capacity and external weapons carriage. The Silent Eaglewill be able to internally carry air-to-air missiles such as the AIM-9and AIM-120 and air-to-ground weapons such as the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) and Small Diameter Bomb (SDB).
The standard weapons load used on current versions of the F-15 is available with the traditional CFTs installed.
The aircraft's canted vertical tails improve aerodynamic efficiency,provide lift, and reduce airframe weight. Another aerodynamicimprovement is the Digital Flight Control System, which improves the aircraft's reliability and reduces airframe weight.
Survivability improvements include a BAES Digital Electronic Warfare System (DEWS) working in concert with the Raytheon Advanced Electronic Scanning Array (AESA) radar.
Boeing has completed a conceptual prototype of the CFTinternal-carriage concept, and plans to flight-test a prototype by thefirst quarter of 2010, including a live missile launch.
The design, development, and test of this internal carriage system are available as a collaborative project with an international aerospace partner.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems isone of the world's largest space and defense businesses specializing ininnovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world'slargest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft.Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32billion business with 70,000 employees worldwide.

Taiwan Renews Push for F-16 Fighter Jets

Taiwan has renewed a drive to buy advanced U.S.-built F-16 fighter aircraft, confronting President Barack Obama with a delicate decision.
Detailing its arms shoppinglist for the first time since Obama took office, Taipei Economic andCultural Representative Office (TECRO) said Taiwan's current fighter force was inadequate to a potential threat from China. The largest part of Taiwan's air force, the F-5 fighter, has been in service for more than 34 years, said TECRO's spokesman.

"The planes now are obsolete and spare parts are difficult toobtain," said spokesman, Vance Chang, in an email response to questionsabout Taiwan's arms requests. China has built increasingly advancedfighters, the statement said, "therefore our air superiority capabilityis at a serious disadvantage."
"Taiwan's determination to defend itself is indisputable," it added.
Taiwan has been trying for 12 years to buy F-16 C/D models built by Lockheed Martin Corp of Bethesda, Maryland. The U.S. government is required by a 1979 law to provide Taiwan sufficient arms to defend itself.
Successive U.S. administrations, both Democratic and Republican,have managed the weapons flow to minimize fallout with China. In itsfinal years, former President George W. Bush's administration would noteven accept a formal request for the advanced F-16s, said theU.S.-Taiwan Business Council, which represents about 100 companies,including Lockheed Martin.
The United States "has an obligation to assist Taiwan to maintain acredible defense of its air space, which includes modern fighters,"said council president Rupert Hammond-Chambers.
Taiwan wants 66 F-16 C/Ds valued at up to US$4.9 billion to bolster 150 F-16A/B models it bought in 1992.
The State Department had no immediate comment on the statement from TECRO.
In October, the Bush administration notified Congress of possiblearms sales to Taiwan of up to US$6.4 billion, including Patriot"Advanced Capability" antimissile batteries, Apache attack helicoptersand Harpoon anti-ship missiles.
"We were eager to achieve a golden mean - a robust package of armssales that met Taiwan's immediate defense needs but was not perceivedin Beijing as undermining the progress in cross-strait relations," saidDennis Wilder, senior director for East Asian affairs on Bush's WhiteHouse National Security Council. "I believe we achieved that goal," he added in an email response to Reuters.
TECRO made clear Ma's administration was still seeking UH-60 Black Hawk utility helicopters built by United Technologies Corp's Sikorsky unit and design work on modern diesel-electric submarines.
These two items were cleared for release to Taiwan by Bush as partof a landmark arms offer in April 2001, but left out of the Octobernotification to Congress. The deals were held up for years, largely bypartisan hurdles to funding in Taiwan.
Wilder said the Bush administration had told Taiwan that it was notdenying it any of the weapons approved in 2001, but would leave thedecision to Obama.

F/A-18 Hornet

All-weather fighter and attack aircraft. The single-seat F/A-18 Hornet is the nation's first strike-fighter. It was designed for traditional strike applications such as interdiction and close air supportwithout compromising its fighter capabilities. With its excellentfighter and self-defense capabilities, the F/A-18 at the same timeincreases strike mission survivability and supplements the F-14 Tomcatin fleet air defense.
F/A-18 Hornets are currently operating in 37 tactical squadrons fromair stations world-wide, and from 10 aircraft carriers. The U.S. Navy's Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron proudly flies them. The Hornetcomprises the aviation strike force for seven foreign customersincluding Canada, Australia, Finland, Kuwait, Malaysia, Spain andSwitzerland.

The newest model, Super Hornet, is highly capable across the full mission spectrum: air superiority, fighter escort, reconnaissance, aerial refueling, close air support, air defense suppression and day/night precision strike. Compared to the original F/A-18 A through D models, Super Hornethas longer range, an aerial refueling capability, increasedsurvivability/lethality and improved carrier suitability. *Capabilityof precision-guided munitions: JDAM (all variants) and JSOW. JASSM inthe future*
Capabilities and Features
The F/A-18 Hornet,an all-weather aircraft, is used as an attack aircraft as well as afighter. In its fighter mode, the F/A-18 is used primarily as a fighterescort and forfleet air defense; in its attack mode, it is used for force projection, interdiction and close and deep air support.
History and Background
The F/A-18 demonstrated its capabilities and versatility during Operation Desert Storm,shooting down enemy fighters and subsequently bombing enemy targetswith the same aircraft on the same mission, and breaking all recordsfor tactical aircraft in availability, reliability, and maintainability.
Hornets taking direct hits from surface-to-air missiles, recoveringsuccessfully, being repaired quickly, and flying again the next dayproved the aircraft's survivability. The F/A-18 is a twin engine,mid-wing, multi-mission tactical aircraft. The F/A-18A and C are singleseat aircraft. The F/A-18B and D are dual-seaters. The B model is usedprimarily for training, while the D model is the current Navy aircraftfor attack, tactical air control, forward air control andreconnaissance squadrons. The newest models, the E and F were rolledout at McDonnell Douglas Sept. 17, 1995. The E is a single seat whilethe F is a two-seater.
The F/A-18 E/F acquisition program was an unparalleled success. Theaircraft emerged from Engineering and Manufacturing Development meetingall of its performance requirements on cost,on schedule and 400 pounds under weight. All of this was verified inOperational Verification testing, the final exam, passing with flyingcolors receiving the highest possible endorsement.
The first operational cruise of Super Hornet, F/A-18 E, was withVFA-115 onboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) on July 24, 2002, andsaw initial combat action on Nov. 6, 2002, when they participated in astrike on hostile targets in the "no-fly" zone in Iraq.
Super Hornet, flew combat sortiesfrom Abraham Lincoln during Southern Watch, demonstrating reliabilityand an increased range and payload capability. VFA 115 embarked aboardLincoln expended twice the amount of bombs as other squadrons in theirairwing (with 100% accuracy) and met and exceeded all readinessrequirements while on deployment. The SuperHornet cost per flight hour is 40% of the F-14 Tomcat and requires 75% less labor hours per flight hour.
All F/A-18s can be configured quickly to perform either fighter orattack roles or both, through selected use of external equipment toaccomplish specific missions. This "force multiplier" capability givesthe operational commander more flexibility in employing tacticalaircraft in a rapidly changing battle scenario. The fighter missionsare primarily fighter escort andfleet air defense; while the attack missions are force projection, interdiction, and close and deep air support.
The F/A-18C and D models are the result of a block upgrade in 1987incorporating provisions for employing updated missiles and jammingdevices against enemy ordnance. C and D models delivered since 1989also include an improved night attack capability. The E and F modelshave built on the proven effectiveness of the A through D aircraft. TheSuperHornet provides aircrew the capability and performance necessary to face 21st century threats.
General Characteristics, Super Hornet, E and F models

Primary Function: Multi-role attack and fighter aircraft.
Contractor: McDonnell Douglas.
Date Deployed: First flight in November 1995. InitialOperational Capability (IOC) in September 2001 with VFA-115, NASLemoore, Calif. First cruise for VFA-115 is onboard the USS AbrahamLincoln.
Unit Cost: $57 million
Propulsion: Two F414-GE-400 turbofan engines. 22,000 pounds (9,977 kg) static thrust per engine.
Length: 60.3 feet (18.5 meters).
Height: 16 feet (4.87 meters).
Wingspan: 44.9 feet (13.68 meters).
Weight: Maximum Take Off Gross Weight is 66,000 pounds (29,932 kg).
Airspeed: Mach 1.8+.
Ceiling: 50,000+ feet.
Range: Combat: 1,275 nautical miles (2,346 kilometers), clean plus two AIM-9s
Ferry: 1,660 nautical miles (3,054 kilometers), two AIM-9s, three 480 gallon tanks retained.
Crew: A, C and E models: One
B, D and F models: Two.
Armament: One M61A1/A2 Vulcan 20mm cannon; AIM 9Sidewinder, AIM-9X (projected), AIM 7 Sparrow, AIM-120 AMRAAM, Harpoon,Harm, SLAM, SLAM-ER (projected), Maverick missiles; Joint Stand-OffWeapon (JSOW); Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM); Data Link Pod;Paveway Laser Guided Bomb; various general purpose bombs, mines androckets.
General Characteristics, C and D models

Primary Function: Multi-role attack and fighter aircraft.
Contractor: Prime: McDonnell Douglas; Major Subcontractor: Northrop.
Date Deployed: November 1978. Operational - October 1983 (A/B models); September 1987 (C/D models).
Unit Cost: $29 million.
Propulsion: Two F404-GE-402 enhanced performance turbofan engines. 17,700 pounds static thrust per engine.
Length: 56 feet (16.8 meters).
Height: 15 feet 4 inches (4.6 meters).
Wingspan: 40 feet 5 inches (13.5 meters).
Weight: Maximum Take Off Gross Weight is 51,900 pounds (23,537 kg).
Airspeed: Mach 1.7+.
Ceiling: 50,000+ feet.
Range: Combat: 1,089 nautical miles (1252.4 miles/2,003 km), clean plus two AIM-9s
Ferry: 1,546 nautical miles (1777.9 miles/2,844 km), two AIM-9s plus three 330 gallon tanks.
Crew: A, C and E models: One
B, D and F models: Two
Armament: One M61A1/A2 Vulcan 20mm cannon; AIM 9Sidewinder, AIM 7 Sparrow, AIM-120 AMRAAM, Harpoon, Harm, SLAM,SLAM-ER, Maverick missiles; Joint Stand-Off Weapon (JSOW); Joint DirectAttack Munition (JDAM); various general purpose bombs, mines androckets.