This report provides an overview discussion on the modernization of U.S. military tactical aircraft, meaning fighter aircraft, strike-fighters, and attack planes. Tactical aircraft are a major component of U.S. military capability, and account for a significant portion of U.S. defense spending. In early 2009, the Air Force, Navy, and Marine collectively had an inventory of about 3,500 tactical aircraft. Current efforts for modernizing U.S. tactical aircraft center on three aircraft acquisition programs--the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program, the Air Force F-22 fighter program, and the Navy F/A- 18E/F strike fighter program. For discussions of issues relating specifically to the F-35 program, the F-22 program, or the F/A-18E/F program, see CRS Reports RL30563, RL31673, and RL30624, respectively.
Tactical Aircraft Modernization: Issues for Congress. Updated July 9, 2009
2009
23 pages
Report
No indication
English
Aircraft , Military Operations, Strategy, & Tactics , Tactical aircraft , Military modernization , Congress , Acquisition , Military aircraft , Military capabilities , Attack aircraft , Inventory , Military budgets , Air force , Fighter aircraft , Naval aircraft , F-35 aircraft , F-22 aircraft , F/a-18e/f aircraft