In response to difficulties with its next-generation warrior program, the US is considering reviving its mild warrior principle, a shift that has sparked heated argument and challenged conventional airpower techniques.
The Chief of Staff of the US Air Force, General David Allvin, made a theoretical light fighter concept at a new presentation at the London Global Air and Space Conference, evoking the future of the US fighter fleet.
The War Zone notes that the idea, resembling a scaled-down F-35, suggests a move towards flexible, software-centric plane over the US Air Force’s standard hardware-focused approach.
The report mentions that this action is in line with the US Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance ( NGAD ) initiative, which has been criticized for the high cost of its sixth-generation stealth combat jet, which is estimated to cost almost US$ 250 million per unit.
The report says that Allvin’s perspective emphasizes fast program updates to keep an advantage over adversaries, possibly leading to more “disposable” crewed fighters.
According to the statement, this revelation coincides with the US Air Force’s reevaluating of the NGAD program taking into account affordability concerns and the integration of uncrewed Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA ) drones.
The Light Fighter Concept, according to The War Zone, could serve as a strategic pivot for a combined ship, balancing high-end abilities with cost-effective strategies to combat fast evolving threats, especially from China.
The report notes that the concept of a “high/low” mixture of soldiers and a potential innovative design to change the aging F-16 ship has been suggested before by previous US Air Force concerns.
The emerging lighting warrior idea could be the answer to the difference between the evolving threats and administrative reality as the US Air Force navigates these difficult challenges.
The US Air Force is now debating the future of its heat dominance, particularly in light of the aging F-22 Birds and the NGAD’s advancement, according to Asia Times in June 2024.
The US Air Force’s proposed budget proposal for the fiscal year 2023 was criticized by the US Government Accountability Office ( GAO ) for lacking in in-depth analysis of the effects of the retirement of older F-22s used for training.
The USAF operates 32 Block 20 F-22s, which are not upgraded to the more sophisticated Block 30/35 models. The GAO has called for more detailed data to support decision-making.
However, the NGAD system is facing uncertainties due to budget constraints, technical challenges and evolving concepts of heat supremacy. The program’s future is in question, with USAF officials hesitant to continue without a clear decision.
Despite concerns that the F-22 fleet may become outdated once upgrades are finished, the US Air Force is considering investing$ 22 billion in an upgrade to the F-22 fleet to extend its service life until the 2040s.
In an article for The National Interest ( TNI ) this month, Harrison Kass mentions that the new light fighter concept aims to avoid the obsolescence these multi-billion-dollar platforms face by being “built to adapt” rather than “built to last.”
Kass claims that some executives in the defense sector are reportedly “baffled by the decision” and that the aerospace community has been surprised by this potential pivot.
In a February 2022 article for War on the Rocks, Alex Biegalski claims that light fighter aircraft can bridge the gap between manned and unmanned fighters.
According to Biegalski, the idea of combining pilots and autonomous drones aims to improve combat effectiveness while reducing pilot risk.
He claims that the US Air Force’s search for a teaming-capable light fighter based on the Boeing T-7 could be a cost-effective way to boost trust in autonomous systems and increase readiness for upcoming conflicts.
He points out that the light fighter has the potential to control drone strike packages and provide critical support in established air superiority zones, which highlights its strategic value.
Biegalski’s statement may reflect a more significant discussion about light fighters’ operational value.
In Varia, David Pappalardo mentions that light fighter advocates contend that these aircraft can provide adequate fire support and surveillance while freeing up advanced fighters for high-intensity scenarios, thereby lowering operational costs and extending the lifespan of more sophisticated aircraft.
On the other hand, he claims that critics worry that integrating light fighters will stifle the force structure, particularly in fierce power struggles like China’s. He points out that opponents think maintaining a fleet of cutting-edge fighters ready for high-intensity combat should remain the focus.
Pappalardo asserts that opponents believe light fighters have the power to promote international cooperation with allies without modern combat aircraft. He adds that opponents should be wary of strategic downgrading, which could lead to resource devolution to light fighters.
In May 2023, Asia Times reported that Taiwan is actively seeking US funding to develop its next-generation stealth fighter jet in an effort to close its significant air power gap with China.
Taiwan’s Aerospace Industrial Development Corp ( AIDC ) chairman Hu Kai-hung highlighted the support request, which includes critical technologies like engines, avionics and control systems, at a defense industry forum in Taipei.
Given the US reluctance to provide Taiwan with advanced military technology like F-35 jets, it might be a viable solution to maintain credible air defense capabilities.
Brandon Weichert argues in a July 2024 article for TNI that selling F-35 Lightning II jets to Taiwan is viewed as a potentially dangerous move that could cause conflict and raise tensions with China.
He views sending F-35s to Taiwan as impractical and provocative, pointing out that if supply chains are disrupted during a blockade, they could potentially become liabilities.
Given that the US is reluctant to provide technical assistance to Taiwan’s domestic next-generation light fighter program, which can replace or complement Taiwan’s aging fighter fleet of F-16s, Mirage 2000s, F-5s, and Indigenous Defense Fighters ( IDFs ), the US might choose to go with the F-35.