The US Air Force Prepares for Great-Power Conflict: Overhauling Aircraft Fleets for a New Era

In a strategic shift to prepare for potential great-power conflict, the US Air Force is undergoing a massive overhaul of its aircraft fleets and pilot readiness. With the looming possibility of conflict with China in mind, the Air Force is downsizing, upgrading, and reconfiguring its fleets, moving away from the counterinsurgency warfare focus that has dominated for the past two decades.

Lt. Gen. Richard Moore highlighted the urgency of modernizing the aging fleet, with 44% of Air Force aircraft past their designed service life. As the Air Force transitions from a focus on counterinsurgency to peer-level conflicts, the need for enhanced capabilities and pilot training becomes paramount.

The Pentagon’s acknowledgment of China as America’s “pacing challenge” underlines the growing threat posed by the Chinese military. Recent incidents in the South and East China Seas, where Chinese fighter jets have engaged in aggressive intercepts of US aircraft, highlight the escalating tensions and the need for preparedness.

Recognizing the evolving threat landscape, the Air Force is streamlining its fleets and intensifying pilot training for potential aerial combat scenarios with near-peer adversaries. The emphasis is on readiness for contested environments with complexities unseen in recent conflicts.

The planned changes aim to reduce fleet age, enhance capabilities, and field only relevant assets. These adjustments are driven by the realization that China’s rapid advancements in air force technology are narrowing the historical advantage held by Western forces in the air domain.

As the US military pivots towards preparing for a new era of conflict, the Air Force is embracing changes to meet the challenges posed by potential great-power adversaries. The shift signifies a strategic reorientation towards readiness for high-intensity conflicts, marking a significant departure from previous operational priorities.

https://www.businessinsider.com/air-force-aircraft-fleets-war-like-we-havent-seen-general-2024-2