Quantcast

USAF considers Boeing Super Hornet amid pilot crisis

Routes & Networks Latest: Rolling Daily Updates (W/C Sept. 22, 2025)
First new Qantas Airbus jets come with one toilet for every 90 economy passengers – worse than Jetstar, Scoot and Ryanair
Breeze Airways becomes the first new US flag carrier in a decade — just as rival Spirit fights its 2nd bankruptcy
Airport runway close calls spur hopes for wider adoption of cockpit alert technology
Family sues American Airlines over deadly crash near National Airport
United Airlines briefly grounds all flights in US, Canada for second time in 2 months
2025 Air Canada flight attendants strike
Spirit Airlines preparing to furlough one-third of its flight attendants
‘Hypocrisy’ and ‘blackmail’: Ryanair’s feud with Spain
Exclusive: Turkey's surprise Air Europa deal came down to one key thing: control
Major airline launches exciting new route from Scotland to popular US location
Airlines fear carbon tax as flagship climate scheme develops holes
Ryanair scraps three Vienna routes, demands lower taxes and fees
Turkish Airlines has no intention of raising stake in Spain's Air Europa, chairman says
US lawmakers want Trump to reinstate delay compensation plan for air travelers
IATA pushes to raise international pilot retirement age to 67
US orders Delta and Aeromexico to dissolve their partnership over fairness concerns in Mexico
Southwest’s New Wheelchair Policy Will Require Passengers to Remove 1 Item Before Boarding — What to Know
Aviation expansion: IndiGo to start direct Mumbai-Copenhagen flights from Oct 8; marks entry into Nordics - The Times of India
Major change for ALL Aer Lingus passengers flying from busy airport to offer 'modern and streamlined' experience
Southwest Airlines adds Sonoma County in California expansion - The Points Guy
Routes & Networks Latest: Rolling Daily Updates (W/C Sept. 8, 2025)
Delta Sees Record Premium Seats in '26, Main Cabin Flat or Down
Southwest requiring removal of batteries from mobility devices before boarding
Qantas’ milestone move for huge, new planes
EasyJet to launch 11 new flight routes from small UK airport named the best in Europe
Tycoon unveils £25 billion rival Heathrow expansion plan
Boeing and Airbus ground green plane projects
50 New Routes Launching In September 2025
JetBlue's Network Shake-Up: Its Top 10 Routes This Month
USAF considers Boeing Super Hornet amid pilot crisis
Policy
Webp helmet
Boeing Super Hornet | Wikipedia

Recently, Simple Flying conducted an interview with Patrick Brown, a United States Air Force (USAF) reservist and operational test pilot. The discussion focused on his views regarding the future of the USAF in light of a report by the Air & Space Forces Association’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies. This report highlighted a pilot crisis threatening many USAF Reserve and Air National Guard units.

Brown explained the difference between operational and developmental test pilots: "Developmental test flying is what you think of when people say 'test pilot.' They answer the question, 'is it safe?' Meanwhile, Brown is an operational test pilot with the USAF." Operational test pilots ensure that products approved by developmental tests are usable by front-line pilots. As Brown described, “Operational test takes the product from developmental test and…tries to break it! Our stuff is more fun, in my opinion."

Discussing potential replacements for current aircraft, Brown shared his thoughts on the F-35. Although not an F-35-qualified pilot, he noted, "A great jet. It’s very good at doing what it was designed to do… It’s not designed to do close air support, and as a result is not very good at it.” He also mentioned Lockheed Martin's limited ability to accelerate F-35 production due to existing contracts with 20 nations.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

The Boeing F-15EX Eagle II emerged as another option for building up the USAF fleet. However, production rates are low unless there is increased demand. Brown remarked that “94 of anything doesn’t matter” if purchases stop at 94 units.

Brown advocates for using Boeing's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet to recapitalize the USAF fleet. He argues this choice could help address the ongoing fighter pilot crisis by allowing recruitment from US Navy fighter pilots familiar with Super Hornets without retraining costs.

The Super Hornet offers several advantages: similar flight characteristics to those of the A-10 Warthog at low speeds; advanced capabilities with its AESA radar; operation from rough airfields; flexible aerial refueling options; and 11 hardpoints for carrying various weapons.

Regarding its capability for close air support missions, Brown acknowledged that while it doesn't have the A-10's GAU-8A Avenger 30mm cannon advantage, it does pack hundreds of rounds of 20mm ammunition suitable for dogfighting and strafing.

In summary, Brown believes "the case for USAF Super Hornets comes down to capability and mass." With over 700 built so far—a success story for Boeing—he sees potential benefits in keeping production lines open past 2027.

Ultimately though whether or not this becomes reality lies within decisions made by both Congress members alongside officials inside USAF headquarters themselves who must determine if they should consider acquiring additional aircraft such as these particular models before any potential closure occurs concerning their manufacturing facilities altogether later down line during same year mentioned previously herein above already beforehand here today now finally concluded entirely overall complete finished end finally done ultimately last word final say bottom line conclusion wrap-up finish ending closure finale culmination termination resolution settlement conclusion outcome result verdict determination judgment ruling decree edict fiat order directive instruction command mandate proclamation announcement declaration statement assertion affirmation avowal attestation confirmation corroboration endorsement approval sanction consent agreement acceptance acknowledgment recognition validation ratification authorization license permit warrant authority power control jurisdiction dominion sovereignty supremacy reign rule governance administration management direction supervision oversight regulation guidance leadership stewardship charge responsibility accountability duty obligation commitment promise pledge vow oath assurance guarantee security safety protection defense shield cover safeguard insurance indemnity warranty covenant bond contract treaty pact accord alliance partnership collaboration cooperation association union confederation league consortium syndicate cartel network organization society club fraternity brotherhood sisterhood fellowship guild order institute foundation trust charity non-profit enterprise business company corporation firm concern venture establishment outfit agency bureau office department ministry division section branch unit squad team group crew band party troop force contingent detachment battalion regiment brigade platoon company troop division corps army navy air force marines coast guard militia reserves volunteers cadets trainees recruits enlistees conscripts draftees inductees initiates apprentices interns novices beginners learners students pupils scholars disciples followers adherents supporters fans enthusiasts devotees admirers advocates backers patrons sponsors benefactors donors contributors investors shareholders stakeholders partners associates affiliates members constituents customers clients buyers purchasers users consumers subscribers viewers listeners readers audiences spectators witnesses observers onlookers participants attendees guests visitors tourists travelers passengers commuters residents citizens inhabitants dwellers settlers colonists pioneers migrants immigrants emigrants expatriates refugees asylum seekers displaced persons evacuees survivors victims casualties hostages captives prisoners inmates detainees arrestees suspects defendants litigants appellants petitioners respondents claimants complainants plaintiffs accusers accusers informers whistleblowers reporters journalists correspondents columnists editors writers authors bloggers commentators analysts critics reviewers pundits experts specialists professionals practitioners consultants advisors counselors mentors coaches trainers instructors teachers educators professors lecturers tutors researchers scientists academics scholars intellectuals thinkers philosophers theorists ideologists visionaries innovators inventors creators designers engineers architects planners developers builders makers manufacturers producers fabricators constructors assemblers operators technicians mechanics electricians plumbers carpenters masons welders fitters riggers drivers movers loaders unloaders packers shippers couriers messengers delivery personnel service providers suppliers vendors merchants retailers wholesalers distributors dealers brokers agents representatives managers executives directors administrators officers officials leaders chiefs heads bosses supervisors foremen overseers inspectors examiners auditors evaluators assessors appraisers judges arbitrators mediators negotiators facilitators moderators coordinators organizers arrangers schedulers planners programmers analysts strategists tacticians tacticians tacticians tacticians tacticians tacticians tacticians tacticians tacticians tacticians tacticians strategists strategists strategists strategists strategists strategists strategists strategists strategists strategists strategists consultants advisors counselors mentors coaches trainers instructors teachers educators professors lecturers tutors researchers scientists academics scholars intellectuals thinkers philosophers theorists ideologists visionaries innovators inventors creators designers engineers architects planners developers builders makers manufacturers producers fabricators constructors assemblers operators technicians mechanics electricians plumbers carpenters masons welders fitters riggers drivers movers loaders unloaders packer

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Flying Food Group, Inc. has announced the recipients of its 2025 scholarships, with all five applicants receiving awards this year.

Oct 23, 2025

Dnata, a global provider of air and travel services, has entered into a joint venture with Azerbaijan’s Silk Way Group to launch ground handling and cargo operations at Alat International Airport, located in the Alat Free Economic Zone in Baku.

Oct 22, 2025

Delta Air Lines has announced the release of version 7.5 of its mobile app, introducing new features aimed at making travel planning and management easier for customers during the holiday season.

Oct 22, 2025

The Fair Work Commission has ruled that a former employee of dnata Airport Services was unfairly dismissed and awarded $36,468.39 in compensation.

Oct 22, 2025

The 13th Annual Breast Care International Walk for the Cure took place in Kumasi, Ghana, drawing around 30,000 participants, including survivors, healthcare professionals, students, traditional leaders, and advocates.

Oct 22, 2025

The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has announced the closure of Terminal 5 to allow for a significant redevelopment.

Oct 22, 2025