In 2023, the Pentagon will purchase 69 F-35 Lightning II fighters, eight F-18E/F Super Hornets, seven E-2D Hawkeye AEW&Cs, five KC-130J tankers, MQ-4 Triton and MQ-25 Stingray drones

The U.S. Department of Defense will increase its aircraft purchases in 2023 under the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

Here's What We Know

The U.S. Air Force has requested 33 F-35 Lighting II aircraft for 2023. That's 15 fewer planes than the year before. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall said that the freed funds will be used to upgrade Pratt & Whitney F135 engines for the F-35, to accelerate the adoption of the F-15EX Eagle II and to fund the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, which is working on the sixth generation fighters.

A few months after that, the service requested another $921 million to buy an additional seven aircraft. The request was partially granted. According to the NDAA, the U.S. Air Force will be able to purchase 38 F-35A Lightning II fighters in 2023. Apparently, we are talking about Block 4 aircraft with APG-85 radar from Lot 17.

The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps will also increase their fleets of fifth-generation fighters. Fifteen F-35Bs and 16 F-35Cs will be purchased in 2023. The NDAA also says it will buy eight F-18E/F Super Hornet fighters, seven E-2D Hawkeye long-range radar detection and control aircraft, and five KC-130J tankers. In addition, three MQ-Triton and four MQ-25 Stingray drones manufactured by Northrop Grumman and Boeing are on the list.

Source: Defense News

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