Tactical Fighter Aircraft: Differences between the Air Force's Roadmap and theFive Year Defense Plan

摘要

The Tactical Fighter Roadmap presents a strategy for acquiring and maintainingthe force structure desired by the tactical commanders. The roadmap, however, is not an official strategy approved by DOD or Air Force Headquarters. The Tactical Air Command (TAC), which represents the commanders of U.S. Tactical Air Forces (TAF), develops and revises a briefing on the roadmap based on threat considerations, force structure positions, and fiscal constraints. During the budget process, the roadmap is used by TAC and Air Force Headquarters in developing budget requests. Portions of the briefing have also been presented to the Congress during appropriations hearings. The October 1989 roadmap includes TAF's modernization plans for the 36 wings of tactical fighters assigned to its active, Air National Guard, and reserve forces. It reflects the fiscal year 1990/1991 budget request but presents a tactical force structure in the years beyond 1991 that is different from the force structure presented in the April 1989 defense plan. The defense plan and the roadmap do not agree on the number and type of aircraft scheduled to be purchased or retired after fiscal year 1991.