The Air Force has been patiently waiting for the Army and Marine Corps to lay out their expansion plans, so USAF can make its own plans for both airlift and personnel needs. Recent news that the Army planned to accelerate its expansion seemed to offer hope USAF might get the data it needs, however Art Pine of the National Journal reports that defense analysts don’t believe the Army can meet its new schedule or will soon know, with any certainty, its future force structure requirements.
The Air Force has embraced new technical approaches like open mission systems and rapid software updates for cutting-edge aircraft like the B-21 and Collaborative Combat Aircraft. Increasingly, though, the service is also working to apply these to its older, “legacy” aircraft, officials said this week.