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USAF AT 50: SIMPLY THE BEST
by Karl SchwarzThe US Air Force is looking back at an exiting history and is facing new difficult challenges. The end of the Cold War and the rapid change of the international security situation in the past ten years has resulted in drastic changes for the US Air Force: personnel reduction by 40 percent, closing of numerous bases in the USA and abroad, taking many aircraft out of service, along with closing down several traditional units.
Budget constraints played their part in accelerating the thorough restructuring, one that the USAF has not seen since its foundation 50 years ago. In spite of the continued downsizing, the US Air Force remains what it has always been, at least according to its own assessment: the world's best air force, and ready to cope with any challenge that the USA, as the only remaining global super power, might be facing.
While the Pentagon does not see the danger for a global war any more, it does not exclude regional conflicts. Also, the USA must be ready anytime to be pulled into internal conflicts such as the one in former Yugoslavia. The US defence ministry is also worried about the spread of weapons of mass destruction and modern warfare equipment, as well as, international terrorism.
The efficient employment of its aircraft will stay in the focus of the USAF's considerations. The prerequisites for this have changed in many ways, for example because of the significant decrease of the US presence in Europe and Asia, where many bases have been closed. The ability to rapidly deploy forces from the USA to points of conflict around the globe is gaining significance.
From the technical point of view, the US Air Force has improved its capabilities in the areas of reconnaissance, battlefield surveillance, and command and control considerably. New precision weapons reduce the necessary effort to attack a target - even if not all of the high expectations are fulfilled yet, as underlined by a recent, critical report from the US audit chamber concerning the results of the Gulf War.
The deficiencies are recognized and there are almost no important aircraft left out from system or weapon updates. The successive introduction of new technology is necessary since the USAF, like other air forces, continues to extend the service time of many aircraft.
Half of the bomber fleet, for example, which has shrunk to 200 aircraft, consists of Boeing B-52 Stratofortress with an average age of 35 years. It is no wonder that the Stratofortress fleet is operating mainly with cruise missiles or conventional bombs. The Rockwell B-1B are used for nuclear missions over hostile territory - at least until all Northrop Grumman B-2s are in service. 21 of this stealth bombers are to be sufficient for deterrence.
In the fighter-bomber fleet, the USAF will have to live with a small fleet of stealth aircraft far into the next decade. Along with the F-117,
the F-15E Strike Eagles with their extensive navigation and electronics suite are playing the most important role, even though they are outnumbered by the F-16 Fighting Falcon which have developed into a work horse. Not to forget the A-10 Thunderbolts with their often appreciated qualities in close air support and as forward air controllers.
Responsible for air superiority is still the F-15C Eagle, supported by the F-16. Since the technological lead of these models has shrunk since their introduction into service in the seventies, the Air Force is hoping for the introduction of the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor from 2004.
The fighters and bombers are supported by numerous aircraft which are accomplishing reconnaissance, electronic warfare and battlefield control missions. Especially the number of electronic warfare aircraft has shrunken to just two dozens of EF-111, forcing the Air Force to rely on the EA-6 Prowler of the Navy.
The Lockheed Martin U-2Rs are still flying in the reconnaissance role and, depending on the funding moods of the Congress, some SR-71. Electronic signals are detected by the Boeing RC-135 and the fleet of Boeing
E-3 Sentry is standing by for early warning and command and control missions. These aircraft are earmarked for several update programs. The US forces also expect much from the introduction of the E-8C Joint STARS.
In order to keep these aircraft in the air for a long time, and also to allow the worldwide deployment of the fleets, the USAF is operating a tanker fleet of approximately 250 Boeing KC-135 and more than 50 McDonnell Douglas KC-10s. The latter can also be used as freighters.
For the transport of really large equipment, the American forces can rely on aircraft such as the Lockheed Martin C-5 Galaxy and the C-141 Starlifters. This fleet is now added to by the C-17 from McDonnell Douglas, which even offer the advantage of being able to operate from smaller airfields.
The C-130 Hercules is the measure of all aircraft when it comes to special tasks, as well as, tactical transport missions. This includes the C-130s operated by the Special Operations Forces who also operate well equipped MH-53 and MH-60 helicopters.
Last but not least, the USAF is operating 1000 aircraft for the training of its pilots. The initial screening is done with Slingby T-3s before the actual training begins on the T-37. Depending on the future assignment, the pilots continue their training on the Beech T-1 (tanker and transport crews) or on the supersonic T-38 Talon. While the Talon will be modernized, the T-37s will be replaced by the T-6 Texan II (JPATS) from Raytheon.
The planning for the next five to ten years is fixed and new programs, such as the Joint Strike Fighter, reach much farther. From the point of view of the USAF, there are other exiting developments (see article "Visions for the 21st century"). There is no doubt that the American air forces will stay at the top for the next 50 years.
From page 12 of FLUG REVUE 9/97
See also our chronology of USAF history, complete with links to more pictures of famous aircraft that have served in the last five decades.
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Last updated August 5, 1997
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