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.
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
