Friday, June 9, 2023
  • About us
    • Write for us
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms of use
    • Privacy Policy
  • RSS Feeds
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact us
DefenceTalk
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports
No Result
View All Result
DefenceTalk
No Result
View All Result

Military Personnel: DOD Needs to Reevaluate Fighter Pilot Workforce Requirements

by Government Accountability Office
April 16, 2018
in Air Force News
2 min read
0
Lockheed’s JASSM-ER Declared Operational on F-15E Strike Eagle
6
SHARES
14
VIEWS

The Air Force, the Navy, and the Marine Corps had gaps between the actual numbers of fighter pilots and authorizations (i.e. funded positions) in fiscal years (FY) 2013 through 2017.

In FY 2017 the Air Force’s gap was the widest at 27 percent of authorizations (see fig. above) and is projected to continue through FY 2023.

The Marine Corps’ gap grew from 6 percent in FY 2006 to 24 percent in FY 2017; it is concentrated in fighter pilots below the rank of major.

While the Navy did not have comparable data, it had a gap at fighter pilots’ first operational tours that grew from 12 percent in FY 2013 to 26 percent in FY 2017, and Navy officials stated it could increase through mid-2019.

Service officials attributed these gaps to aircraft readiness challenges, reduced training opportunities, and increased attrition of fighter pilots due to career dissatisfaction. To help increase fighter pilot numbers, the military services are taking actions, including increasing the amounts of financial incentives to retain pilots.

The military services have not recently reevaluated squadron requirements to reflect increased fighter pilot workload and the emergence of unmanned aerial systems (UAS). According to service guidance, squadron requirements are to be reviewed on a 2-year schedule and to be updated as conditions change (in June 2017 the Navy revised its guidance to extend its schedule from 2 years to 5 years).

However, service officials acknowledged that they have not updated all squadron requirements within the last 2 years. These officials stated that the requirements have not been reevaluated because existing conditions do not warrant the change. However, fighter pilots and squadron leaders interviewed at locations GAO visited consistently stated that the typical workload has significantly increased in recent years due to, among other things, changes in fighter aircraft tactics and technology and reductions to administrative support in squadrons.

Further, the military services have not assessed the effect of increased reliance on UAS on fighter pilot requirements. The Air Force’s vision for UAS notes that systems will work in tandem with cockpit-operated aircraft and that autonomous technologies will potentially lead to personnel efficiencies.

Without re-evaluating squadron requirements to reflect current and emerging conditions, the nature of the gap may be inaccurate and thus make it difficult for the military services to target strategies to meet their personnel needs.

Why GAO Did This Study

Fighter pilots operate aircraft that are critical to achieving and maintaining air dominance during combat operations. The military services invest significant time and funding to train, compensate, and retain fighter pilots. According to Air Force officials, it costs between $3-$11 million and takes approximately 5 years to develop an individual fighter pilot to lead combat missions.

Senate Report 114-255 included a provision for GAO to review the Department of Defense’s (DOD) management of the fighter pilot workforce. GAO’s report (1) assesses the extent to which the military services had differences in the number of fighter pilots compared to authorizations, and describes any contributing factors as well as initiatives to address the differences, and (2) assesses the extent to which the military services had reevaluated squadron requirements for the number of fighter pilots needed, including consideration of UAS pilot requirements.

GAO analyzed military service personnel data, documentation on service initiatives to address factors contributing to fighter pilot shortages, and service documentation of requirements; met with a non-generalizable sample of fighter pilots at seven locations; and interviewed DOD and service officials.

What GAO Recommends

GAO recommends that the Air Force, the Navy, and the Marine Corps reevaluate fighter pilot squadron requirements. DOD concurred with the recommendations.
[download id=”71629″]

Tags: Fighter Aircraftfighter jetsFighter Pilotsworkforce
Previous Post

Russia, Turkey agree to speed up delivery of S-400s: Putin

Next Post

F-35 Completes Most Comprehensive Flight Test Program in Aviation History

Related Posts

China made third-largest air incursion this year, says Taiwan

China would gain swift air superiority over Taiwan, US leaks show

April 19, 2023

China would probably gain air superiority very quickly in any attack on Taiwan, something Russia crucially failed to do in...

Su-35 Fighter Aircraft, Russian Air Force

Iran says deal reached to buy Russian fighter jets

March 13, 2023

Iran has finalized a deal to buy Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets from Russia, state media reported, as defence cooperation between...

Next Post
Israeli Air Force Flies First F-35 Night Sortie

F-35 Completes Most Comprehensive Flight Test Program in Aviation History

Latest Defense News

China made third-largest air incursion this year, says Taiwan

China would gain swift air superiority over Taiwan, US leaks show

April 19, 2023
china third aircraft carrier PLAN

China sends warships and aircraft around Taiwan for second day

April 8, 2023
Japan defence ministry seeks $50 billion budget

Japan changes rules to allow aid to foreign militaries

April 6, 2023
Trump order targets Chinese internet giants TikTok, WeChat

TikTok hit with UK fine, Australia government ban

April 6, 2023
Finland gears up for historic NATO decision

Long NATO delay spells trouble for Sweden and alliance: experts

April 6, 2023
Russia says fired anti-ship missiles at mock target in Sea of Japan

Russia says fired anti-ship missiles at mock target in Sea of Japan

March 28, 2023

Defense Forum Discussions

  • Royal Australian Navy Discussions and Updates 2.0
  • The Russian-Ukrainian War Thread
  • Italian Navy Discussions and Updates
  • European Union, member states and Agencies
  • Ukrainian - Russian War Memes.
  • South Korean Navy
  • Germany
  • Republic of Korea AF (ROKAF)
  • Royal Australian Air Force [RAAF] News, Discussions and Updates
  • AI
DefenceTalk

© 2003-2020 DefenceTalk.com

Navigate Site

  • Defence Forum
  • Military Photos
  • RSS Feeds
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact us

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports

© 2003-2020 DefenceTalk.com