Likewise, the service branch mentioned in FY24 the planned retirement for dozens of KC-10 Extender refueling tankers, around 48 Block 1 MQ-9 Reapers, and the remaining three E-8 JSTARS (joint surveillance target attack radar systems). They’re also considering decommissioning 52 T-1 Jayhawk jet trainers and 37 HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue helicopters.
Aside from the NGAD fighters, the Air Force seeks to replace the retiring aircraft with more of the sophisticated F-35 multi-role fighters, as well as the latest F-15EX Eagle II fighters and dozens of Boeing KC-46A Pegasus refueling tankers, to name a few.
Moreover, additional resources will be poured into the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, which would become NGAD’s and other incoming jets wingmen.
Kendall disclosed last week at a Warfare Symposium in Aurora, Colorado, the plans of the Air Force to acquire 200 NGAD fighters and about 1,000 CCAs. These unmanned drones will be paired with air superiority fighters, acting as autonomous wingmen to manned aircraft.
“This figure was derived from an assumed two CCAs per 200 NGAD platforms and an additional two for each of 300 F-35s for a total of 1,000,” he explained.
“The DAF [Department of the Air Force] is moving forward with a family of systems for the next generation of air dominance,” Kendall added. “That will include both an NGAD platform and the introduction of uncrewed collaborative aircraft to provide affordable mass and dramatically increased cost-effectiveness.”
The future Collaborative Combat Aircraft needs to enable air forces to reliably and cost effectively do more and adapt to evolving threats. That’s why #GambitUAS is changing the game with its leading common core design, which yields 4 unique configurations. #AFAColorado 🧵1/6 pic.twitter.com/IFM6hNS8u2
— GA-ASI (@GenAtomics_ASI) March 7, 2023
Kendall assured that the planned number of CCAs is of “nominal quantity” and will not affect the inventory of the anticipated fighter crew, saying, “One way to think of CCAs is as remotely controlled versions of the targeting pods, electronic warfare pods or weapons now carried under the wings of our crewed aircraft.”
Meanwhile, US Space Force requested $30 billion in its budget, up $3.9 billion compared to what Congress had enacted in FY23, becoming the “largest space budget ever” since the branch was founded in 2019.
“This growth showcases the Department’s commitment to making the investments needed to implement the National Defense Strategy,” Major General Mike A. Greiner said, which likely includes developing and procuring missile-warning satellites, as well as for launch services.
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