A Shrinking, Aging Fleet:

April 3, 2006

The Air Force fleet will shrink by about 1,000 aircraft over the next several years, acknowledged Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne, speaking at a Capitol Hill luncheon last wee. It is a fact because the Air Force will not be replacing current legacy aircraft on a one-for-one basis, and the Air Force will not be able to sustain the expense of flying legacy aircraft. Wynne noted that the average age for its aircraft will rise from 23 years to 28 years.

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