And instead of buying four MC-130Js for Air Force Special Operations Command, as it planned in FY21, it will buy only three at a cost of $220 million. However, the service lowered procurement of the HH-60W combat rescue helicopter from 20 aircraft in its FY21 plans to 14 in the FY22 request. It also wants to spend $2.4 billion on 14 KC-46 tankers - two more than projected in its FY21 plans. ![]() The service stuck to its plan of buying 48 F-35A conventional-takeoff-and-landing models and 12 F-15EX Eagle II fighters in FY22, at $4.5 billion and $1.3 billion respectively. The Air Force’s decision to slash procurement - resulting in some cases in lower buys of aircraft than was projected in FY21 - may also prove controversial. Stephen Lyons told lawmakers during a May 18 hearing that he would support some KC-135 retirements this year. Transportation Command about the overall size of the tanker force. ![]() In FY21, lawmakers blocked proposed divestment of KC-135s due to concerns from U.S. The Air Force might encounter similar opposition for retiring the RQ-4 and E-8 - something it attempted in past budgets, only to be shot down by lawmakers who have fought divesting those aircraft when no direct replacement exists.Ĭongress may be more likely to approve the retirement of KC-135s this year. “Removing A-10s from the fleet when there is not another aircraft capable of performing this mission takes a vital tool away from our military and is the wrong step for our national security,” Kelly said.
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