The Air Force is seeking to retire 150 aircraft in its $169 billion fiscal year 2023 budget request, while accelerating its purchase of F-15EXs and slashing its planned F-35 buy. Though officials are again proposing divestments across a range of platforms, including 21 A-10s, 15 Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft and 13 KC-135 tankers, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall characterized the floated retirements as not “as significant or dramatic a change” as the previously requested 206 airframe reduction for...
