HOUSE APPROPRIATORS MAINTAIN F-15 FUNDING WHILE BOLSTERING F-35 PROCUREMENT

摘要

House appropriators are ready to sign off on the Air Force's request for eight new Boeing F-15EX fighters to begin replacing older F-15C/D aircraft in the Air National Guard. The requirement for new F-15s was a recent development, and appeared to germinate outside of Air Force leadership. The Air Force previously stated that it would only buy fifthgeneration aircraft like the F-35, but service officials are now arguing that buying new F-15s is the cheapest and easiest way to replacing the legacy aircraft that are starting to age out. However, the Air Force has also reduced near-term F-35A procurement rates, which has unsettled lawmakers.