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USAF considers Boeing Super Hornet amid pilot crisis

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USAF considers Boeing Super Hornet amid pilot crisis
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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.

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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 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