Sen. Kit Bond (R-Mo.) introduced an amendment for the 2010 defense spending bill that would prohibit the Air Force from executing its 2010 fighter aircraft hit list until the service provides lawmakers with “a detailed plan” about the aftermath, according to the Congressional Record for Oct. 1. Bond, along with Sen. Robert Bennett (R-Utah) and Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), want USAF to inform Congress about how the service will fill force structure and capability gaps. And, the Senators want to know what USAF is doing about follow-on missions and jobs for both active duty and reserve forces. They also want to know what criteria the service used to select the affected units and targeted fighters and how much the service will save and to what use it will put those dollars. Continue
The Air Force is spending heavily on F-22 improvements through the end of the decade, suggesting it may not retire the jet in 2030 as it previously planned. New sensors, fuel tanks, communications, and electronic warfare systems are among the upgrades that comprise the package.