– Plan to keep F-15EX line open through Reconciliation Bill being considered now
– Mission Capability Rates unacceptably low – eg F-35A is 54%
– Develop F-47A
– Upgrade F-35A
– Nuclear modernization top priority: B-21A, B-52J + LRSO, Sentinel ICBM
– More teeth – less tail
– Disconnect between value of Space Force (at only 3% of DoD Budget) vs funding under Biden despite multiple new priority missions
– Must defend satellites first to defend the Homeland – must maintain superiority in the space domain
– Developing counter space capability
– Fast pace race for technological superiority against adversaries
– F-47A: completely new acquisition approach, USAF owns architecture and development
– YFQ-42 & YFQ-44 same approach as F-47A
– F-16C/D MCR 62% (overall fleet including those in Depot Maint) – CSAF considers OK for age
– Space Force needs Title 10 Governmental control of functions essential to the Kill Chain & these must not be contracted out
– STRATCOM estimates it needs 145 x B-21A – SecAF will be considering in detail with STRATCOM
– Biden failed to fund SAOC (E-4B replacement) infrastructure to be ready in time for aircraft – being corrected
– E-7A: some of E-3 mission will be migrated into space domain but E-7A is still required particularly for the Pacific region – production of 2 x prototypes being speeded up
– CCA will not replace F-15E and F-16C/D
– Sen Cotton asked if F-16 Block 80 worth getting – CSAF stated FMS Block 70 taking most of production capacity and would need to look at what would be needed in Block 80 to be of use to USAF
– CSAF wants more modern tanking, air base defense, munitions stockpile ASAP – on limited budget this has to be weighed against increase in fighter numbers
– MI ANG getting 21 x F-15EX as previously announced by POTUS
– Selfridge ANGB will get infrastructure in time for F-15EX and KC-46A deliveries by making necessary adjustments
– Creech AFB based development unit for CCA operation will advise best way to operate / maintain / deploy CCA (in answer to Sen who asked if CCA would be deployed to ANG alongside their F-15EX units)
– Russia and China have anti-satellite capabilities – Space Force is not adequately funded to complete its missions in face of their capabilities
– MQ-9 needs increased funding to increase survivability
– More resilience needed in base structure in Pacific – further forward than concentration on Guam
– KC-46A MCR only 51% of the 90+ delivered – includes depot maintenance and sorting the RVS deficiency
– When 48th FW at RAF Lakenheath, UK has its full complement F-35A, 2 x F-15E sqns with newer engines will be redeployed in USA
– Airmen excited about volunteering to move to the deployable combat wings
