Accession Number:
ADA454572
Title:
Tactical Aircraft Modernization: Issues for Congress
Descriptive Note:
Corporate Author:
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
Personal Author(s):
Report Date:
2006-03-16
Pagination or Media Count:
18.0
Abstract:
This Issue Brief examines DODs four largest tactical aircraft modernization programs. The background section provides a brief description of each program, and a discussion of how tactical aircraft fit into military air operations the missions they typically perform and how they contrast to longer-range combat aircraft. The Analysis section examines a number of policy issues including affordability, capability required, force structure, service roles and missions, industrial base, and transformation. The paper concludes with a synopsis of recent congressional action on these programs. The Defense Department plans to buy the F-22 fighter for the Air Force, the FA-18EF fighterattack plane for the Navy, and the V-22 tilt-rotor aircraft for the Marines and Air Force special operations, as well as pursue a joint-service program to develop a multirole Joint Strike Fighter JSF aircraft in three variants, some of which might be operational around 2012.
Descriptors:
Subject Categories:
- Aircraft
- Logistics, Military Facilities and Supplies