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December 19, 2022

USAF Hopes for 1,470 New Pilots in 2023, Despite Shortages

As Need for New Blood Mounts, Education Brass Considers Changes to Traditional Training Pipeline

The Air Force's recruiting and training situation is scarcely better than it was last year, amid a growing industry-wide pilot shortage. The USAF thinks it can train 1,470 new pilots in fiscal year 2023, something its own AF Times calls a "lofty goal amid an enduring shortage of flyers". The target is not far off the original plan to graduate 1,500 new, combat-ready pilots per year by 2024, but so far its efforts to even reach its overarching goal of 21,000 pilots haven't panned out. Usually, the service is only about 19,000-strong, across active duty, reserve, and Guard pilots overall.

As the Aerospace Expo Approaches, Headlining Acts Call their Shots

The Blue Angels unveiled their 2023 air show schedule, and their first headline act? The 49th annual Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo. Their upcoming performance will feature the upgraded, newer F/A-18 Super Hornets after making the switch from their older legacy aircraft. Moving away from the smaller, lighter fighter for their display has necessitated a few changes in devising their new routines, namely because of the increased size and planform of the Super Hornet.

Overcoming a String of Failures, America's Hypersonic Missile Program is Stronger than Ever

The Air Force announced the completion of its first operational hypersonic missile, designated the Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon. Lockheed Martin's AGM-183A ARRW, was tested off the coast of Southern California, launched from an underwing polyon from a B-52H from the 412th Test Wing. The prototype was launched at altitude before accelerating to 5 times the speed of sound and self-destructing at the end of its designated flight path.