Lawmakers on the House Armed Services Committee are proposing
What is known
If the committee's proposal is accepted, the US Air Forcewill receive an additional impetus for the modernization of the fighter aircraft fleet. Budget documents show that the service will order 24 fourth-generation fighters in FY2023 and FY2024.
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However, the committee proposes to purchasean additional six aircraft in FY2025. This will increase the total purchase to 30 fighters. In this case, F-15EX Eagle II pre-financing in FY2025 will increase to $320 million.
The decision of the committee is connected with the desire to speed upthe rate of rejuvenation of the park. The US Air Force is now phasing out the old F-15C / D fighters and A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft. Within five years, the service intends to decommission 801 tactical aircraft, while only 345 new F-35s and F-15EXs will be accepted into service.
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The US Air Force has previously said it needs tobuy 72 fighters to modernize and rejuvenate the fleet. Otherwise, it will not be possible to replace the obsolete F-15s. If the committee's proposal is accepted, then in FY2025 the service will be able to immediately order 76 new fighters.
The US Air Force initially ordered 144 upgradedaircraft F-15EX Eagle. They have advanced avionics and improved electronic warfare capabilities. Later, the order was cut to 80 fighters, but recently it was increased to 104 units.
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In case of acceptance of the proposal put forwardcommittee, the US Air Force will have 110 Eagle II aircraft. But it is worth noting that deliveries are delayed by at least six months. This was stated by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The cost of the upgraded F-15EX will be $80-106 million.