Quantcast

USAF considers Boeing Super Hornet amid pilot crisis

Spirit Airlines Explores Bankruptcy Filing
Here's how Southwest Airlines' new seating and boarding process will work
Delta Adds New Route to Asia
Southwest Airlines will begin selling assigned seats in 2025
United Airlines Pilot Buys Passengers Pizza In Albuquerque After Flight Was Delayed 7 Hours
Czech Airlines to Cease Operations, Ending 23-Year SkyTeam Partnership
An Asian airline hopes launching one of the world's longest narrowbody routes will actually be a comfort upgrade for passengers
Airlines begin canceling flights, offering rebooking ahead of Hurricane Helene
Southwest Airlines to cut service and staffing in Atlanta to slash costs
New heights, new features: Discover Alaska’s enhanced Flight Pass subscription service
Alaska Airlines completes acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, expanding benefits and choice for travelers
American Airlines welcomes JetSMART to the award-winning AAdvantage program
Explore Japan for free? Japan Airlines offers free domestic flights to foreign travelers
Delta named Official Airline Partner of Birmingham City Football Club
American Airlines to Cut These Routes to Las Vegas, Orlando, and More — Here's Why
Alaska Airlines completes acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, expanding benefits and choice for travelers
Southwest wouldn't really start charging for bags — right?
JD Power ranked this Midwest airport as the best among largest airports in North America
Alaska Airlines Chief Plans More Routes After a Deal With Hawaiian
Air Canada could begin suspending flights soon as strike deadline nears
JetBlue's new ticket policy entitles every passenger to a carry-on bag
Why United Airlines’ CEO makes as few decisions as possible
American invests in the future of aviation maintenance with new jobs, additional work
DOT probe seeks to determine if frequent flyer programs are fair to travelers
American Airlines flight diverted after passenger starts vaping
Russian Airline Wants $100 Million From Canada for Seizing Its Giant Cargo Plane
Here's where American Airlines is adding flights to Europe in summer 2025
Major airline grounds Airbus A350 fleet, citing faulty engine component
Airline CEO wants airports to cap passengers at 2 alcoholic drinks to limit on-board disruptions
Regulator cuts Malaysia Airlines' air operator certificate duration after probe
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

Alaska Airlines has announced a significant expansion of its route network for 2026, with plans to introduce service to two new cities and launch 13 new or returning routes.

Oct 25, 2025

Delta Air Lines will introduce new in-flight menu options created by celebrity chef José Andrés starting November 4.

Oct 25, 2025

The Blue Sky partnership between United Airlines and JetBlue launched today, allowing members of both airlines’ loyalty programs to earn and redeem points across the two carriers.

Oct 25, 2025

Air Canada is set to expand its presence at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) by introducing four new nonstop routes to the United States in 2026.

Oct 25, 2025

United Airlines has announced it will add 10 new destinations from its Chicago O'Hare International Airport hub starting next year.

Oct 25, 2025

The partnership between United Airlines and JetBlue, known as Blue Sky, has officially launched.

Oct 25, 2025