Since 2001, U.S. Air Force fighter aircraft have flown combat sorties with abnormally high flight durations while participating in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. These longer sortie durations have added previously unanticipated flight time to aging airframes, thereby reducing the expected service life of the U.S. Air Force's legacy fighter fleet. This study examines the costs and benefits of fielding a propeller-driven lightweight ground attack aircraft to support air operations in counterinsurgency and stability operations. Fielding a lightweight ground attack aircraft would enable the U.S. Air Force to redeploy the bulk of its legacy fighter fleet to home stations to resume noncontingency operations. This would effectively reduce annual flight times and extend expected service life. The study will use a literature review to determine the expected economic impact, combat capability, survivability, and potential roles and missions relative to fielding a lightweight ground attack aircraft.


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    BUCKLER MATTHEW THOMAS / CANADAY MICHAEL M / HOUCK JR THOMAS KLEBERT et al. | European Patent Office | 2024

    Free access