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Air Force

Conventional Prompt Global Strike and Long-Range Ballistic Missiles: Background and Issues

Posted Mon, 10/25/2010 - 01:00

Prompt global strike (PGS) would allow the United States to strike targets anywhere on earth with conventional weapons in as little as an hour. This capability may bolster U.S. efforts to deter and defeat adversaries by allowing the United States to attack high-value targets or "fleeting targets" at the start of or during a conflict. Congress has generally supported the PGS mission, but it has restricted funding and suggested some changes in funding for specific programs.

Air Force Next-Generation Bomber: Background and Issues for Congress

Posted Tue, 12/22/2009 - 01:00

As part of its proposed FY2010 defense budget, the Administration proposed deferring the start of a program to develop a next-generation bomber (NGB) for the Air Force, pending the completion of the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) and associated Nuclear Posture Review (NPR), and in light of strategic arms control negotiations with Russia. The Administration's proposed FY2010 budget requested no funding specifically identified in public budget documents as being for an NGB program.

Air Force C-17 Aircraft Procurement: Background and Issues for Congress

Posted Thu, 10/01/2009 - 00:00

A total of 213 C-17s have been procured through FY2009, including eight that were procured in the FY2009 supplemental appropriations act (H.R. 2346/P.L. 111-32 of June 24, 2009). The Administration's proposed FY2010 defense budget proposed to end C-17 procurement and did not request any funding for the procurement of additional C-17s. The Administration argues that enough C-17s have now been procured to meet future operational needs. Supporters of procuring additional C-17s in FY2010 believe additional C-17s will be needed to meet future operational needs.

F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program: Background and Issues for Congress

Posted Wed, 09/16/2009 - 00:00

The administration's proposed FY2010 defense budget requested about $10.4 billion in research and development and procurement funding for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. This would fund the procurement of 10 F-35As for the Air Force, 16 F-35Bs for the Marine Corps, and four F-35Cs for the Navy. The administration's proposed FY2010 defense budget also proposed terminating the F-35 alternate engine program, which is intended to develop the General Electric/Rolls-Royce F136 engine as an alternative to the Pratt and Whitney F135 engine that currently powers the F-35.

Air Force F-22 Fighter Program: Background and Issues for Congress

Posted Fri, 09/04/2009 - 00:00

Procurement of Air Force F-22 fighters began in FY1999, and a total of 187 have been procured through FY2009, including 24 in FY2009. The issue for Congress is whether to approve the Administration's proposal in the FY2010 budget to end F-22 procurement at 187 aircraft, or reject that proposal and provide funding in FY2010 for the procurement of additional F-22s in FY2010 and/or subsequent years. The White House has vowed to veto any bill that supports the acquisition of F-22s beyond the 187 that have been procured through FY2009.

Air Force KC-X Tanker Aircraft Program: Background and Issues for Congress

Posted Thu, 07/30/2009 - 00:00

On September 24, 2009, the Department of Defense (DOD) announced its proposed strategy for conducting a new competition between Boeing and a team consisting of Northrop Grumman and the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company (EADS, the parent company of Airbus) for a program to build 179 new KC-X aerial refueling tankers for the Air Force. The estimated total value of the 179-aircraft KC-X program is roughly $35 billion.

F/A-22 Raptor

Posted Thu, 07/16/2009 - 00:00

The F/A-22 Raptor is a next-generation fighter/attack aircraft that features the latest stealth technology to reduce detection by radar. Using more advanced engines and avionics than the current F-15 Eagle, the F/A-22 is intended to maintain U.S. Air Force capabilities against more sophisticated aircraft and missiles in the 21st century. This report examines the Air Force's F/A-22 Raptor program, including costs and schedule; considers several key issues, and concludes with a synopsis of recent legislative activity the program.

V-22 Osprey Tilt-Rotor Aircraft

Posted Wed, 06/10/2009 - 00:00

The V-22 Osprey is a tilt-rotor aircraft that takes off and lands vertically like a helicopter and flies like a plane by tilting its wing-mounted rotors to function as propellers. Combining a helicopter's operational flexibility with the greater speed, range, and efficiency of fixed-wing aircraft, the V-22 can perform such missions as troop/cargo transport, amphibious assault, special operations, and search and rescue operations. Begun in FY1982 by the Army and now funded in part by the Air Force, the V-22 has been primarily a Marine Corps program funded by the Navy Department.

Service FY2009 Spring Supplemental Appropriations for Overseas Contingency Operations

Posted Tue, 05/05/2009 - 00:00

On April 9, 2009, the White House sent Congress a request for $83.4 billion in supplemental appropriations for defense, foreign affairs, domestic fire fighting, and some other purposes for the remainder of FY2009.

Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program: Background, Status, and Issues

Posted Sat, 03/07/2009 - 01:00

The Defense Department's Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) is one of three aircraft programs at the center of current debate over tactical aviation, the others being the Air Force F/A-22 fighter and the Navy F/A-18E/F fighter/attack plane. In November 1996, the Defense Department selected two major aerospace companies, Boeing and Lockheed Martin, to demonstrate competing designs for the JSF, a joint-service and multi-role fighter/attack plane.