Tactical Aircraft Modernization: Issues for Congress

This report examines the Department of Defense's (DOD's) three largest tactical aircraft modernization programs. The Background section provides a brief description of each program and a discussion of how tactical aircraft fit into military air operations: the missions they typically perform and how they contrast to longer-range combat aircraft. The Analysis section examines a number of policy issues, including affordability, capability required, force structure, and defense industrial base. The paper concludes with a synopsis of congressional action on these programs. The Defense Department is procuring the F-22 fighter for the Air Force, the F/A-18E/F fighter/attack plane for the Navy, and the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft in three variants, some of which might be operational around 2012. Decisions in Congress and the Defense Department regarding these aircraft programs may have important long-term implications. The F/A-18E/F is in full-rate production. The F-22 is nearing the end of its planned production. The JSF might be in production through the 2020s. Decisions about the funding of these programs will influence the future of individual U.S. aircraft manufacturers, and may well affect the division of combat roles and missions among the services for decades. Some in Congress have expressed concern about the need for some of these aircraft programs on grounds of cost and affordability, and military requirements. Some in Congress have also expressed concern over the potential impact of these aircraft programs on the defense industrial base. This report will be updated as events warrant. This report replaces Issue Brief IB92115 of the same title.