The Air Force can get seven combat-coded F-22 squadrons out of 183 aircraft, Gen. Michael Moseley, USAF Chief of Staff, told reporters. That is not enough to cover all 10 Air and Space Expeditionary Forces. However, Wynne explained that some of the later-vintage F-15Es and F-16s would still be around to fill out the 10 AEFs. The later F-15s have some “phenomenal” capabilities that will allow them to “partner” with the Raptors, Wynne said. Moseley added that J-UCAS—the joint unmanned combat aerial vehicle—is coming along, as are even more advanced combat UAVs.
More than 100 B-21s will be needed if the nation is to avoid creating a high demand/low capacity capability, panelists said on a Hudson Institute webinar. The B-21's flexibility, stealth, range and payload will be in high demand for a wide range of missions, both traditional and new.