The US Air Force needs at least 500 new sixth-generation fighters and bombers to defeat China in a potential conflict. The conditions for gaining an advantage are named by analysts at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies. transmit Defense News (DN).
In the report “Strategic Strike: Maintaining the Air Force's ability to destroy enemy targets”, experts said that Washington needs at least 300 F-47 fighters and more than 200 B-21 Raider bombers to counter China.
The publication recalls that the US Air Force plans to purchase 180 F-47s and about a hundred B-21s. Former F-16 pilot and Mitchell Institute research director Heather Penney emphasized that modern conflicts demonstrate the need for large numbers of aircraft. According to her, countries that are unable or unwilling to carry out major attacks on enemy targets risk being drawn into a debilitating confrontation.
The Institute's representative emphasized that the US Air Force currently needs to make efforts to maintain its existing aircraft fleet. This will preserve combat potential until the B-21 and F-47 appear in significant numbers. In particular, Penny said, the military should refrain from retiring B-1 and B-2 strategic bombers.
In January, TWZ wrote that concerns about the capabilities of China's PL-17 long-range air-to-air missile have led to the urgent creation of similar products in the United States.
