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Sixth Gen Fighter Far Off
Sixth Gen Fighter Far Off: The Air Force can't afford to pursue a sixth generation fighter, and won't be able to for perhaps 10 years, Secretary Michael Donley told reporters at a press conference Friday at AFA's Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Fla. "I don't think you're going to see a sixth generation fighter program anytime soon," said Donley. He continued, "We're still working on the fifth [generation], folks." USAF is continuing research and development on the fundamental technologies that such a sixth gen fighter would have to have relative to "components, avionics, [and] weapons," but an actual program could be many years away, he said. It will involve an "extended timeline" of basic research, he said. Within the past year or so, both Russia and China have begun flight testing their respective T-50 and J-20 stealth airplanes. If their emergence has not triggered a US sixth gen program, what would? "More money," said Donley flatly. He added that with a new bomber, tanker, and satellites needing copious funding, and requirements already stated for which there isn't any money—such as the T-X trainer—a sixth gen program isn't financially feasible. "We're living with flat budgets," Donley said, adding, "We don't know if or when those budgets will increase."
—John A. Tirpak
2/18/2011
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On the Record
Mission One
"The health and safety of our pilots—all of our pilots—is our utmost priority. Our operational flight surgeons and our medical staff interact with our pilots on a daily basis."
—Brig. Gen. Daniel Wyman, Air Combat Command command surgeon, speaking to reporters during a teleconference, May 9, 2012. He was emphasizing that the Air Force is doing all it can to ensure the safety of F-22 pilots as service officials continue to home in on the cause of why some Raptor pilots have experienced hypoxia-like symptoms in the cockpit like difficulty concentrating, fatigue, headaches, and nausea. |
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On the Record
Message to Congress
"If you give us force structure back, give us the money, too. Because the quickest way I know to a hollow force is to give us structure without money. Simple as that. . . . 'Make it work' is not a satisfactory solution."
—Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz articulating his message to lawmakers on the Air Force's Fiscal 2013 budget proposal during a speech at the Stimson Center in Washington, D.C., May 1, 2012. The Air Force leadership has proposed reducing force structure and personnel next fiscal year in order to maintain a ready and capable force as the service absorbs significant spending cuts. |
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