Air Combat Command chief Gen. Ronald Keys says that new equipment can also create manpower savings. For example, each new F-22 Raptor the command receives probably will replace three F-15 Eagles, creating personnel savings. Further, Keys said Tuesday at AFA’s Air & Space Conference that the F-22 would be less maintenance intensive, even on a one-for-one basis. Similarly, he expects the new and unmanned MQ-4 Global Hawk to require fewer personnel to support and operate it than does the U-2 spyplane it eventually will replace. ACC needs these efficiencies. Keys noted that “I’m going to lose about 12,600 people,” in the command, “that’s a lot of people”—10 percent of the command.
As L3Harris proves its OA-1K Skyraider II special operations aircraft can carry a signals intelligence sensor and electronic attack weapon, a key congressional committee is poised to boost production of the converted Air Tractor prop plane.