The USAF Fighter Force Structure in the 2020-2040 Timeframe

<p>The USAF capability gap during transition from 4th to 5th generation aircraft has emerged from a Perfect Storm of interrelated factors. These include the increasing complexity and diversity of national interests and risks; the increase of aging effects on legacy 4th generation aircraft; the repeated schedule delays and cost increases for the F-35 Lightning; and intense domestic pressure on future DOD budgets. The FY10 defense budget was a watershed event for the USAF Fighter Force by which DOD and USAF leaders have effectively double-downed their bets on F-35 fixing the USAF capability gap. This impending train-wreck of unprecedented consequence to USAF combat capability necessitates a cost-effective bridge to transition the fighter fleet from 4th to 5th generation multi-role aircraft. The F-16 Super Falcon is singularly distinctive among potential solutions because the jet is available affordable and adaptable to the vast mission requirements of hybrid warfare.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p>