USAF FY16 Budget Includes U-2 Spy Plane, Global Hawk UAV

The budget for the U.S. Air Force for fiscal year 2016 (FY16) includes money for both the U-2 Spy Plane and the Global Hawk unmanned system, but places the A-10 Warthog back on the chopping block.

Defense News reports that the Air Force has tried to retire the Global Hawk for several years, saying the U-2 was more capable and less expensive to operate. But last year the U-2 was found to be the more expensive aircraft ... but the cost of upgrading the Global Hawk to do what the U-2 can do would make it nearly a wash, as far as money was concerned.

But the latest budget keeps both surveillance systems at the expense of the A-10 aircraft, which flies primarily ground support missions.

Recent developments in places like Ukraine and China may be the impetus for keeping both surveillance systems, according to sources. And it's really no surprise that the A-10 is up for retirement again. The Air Force has tried for several years to retire the jet, but it has a lot of supporters on Capitol Hill.

One source said that while no one really thinks retiring the A-10 "is a great idea,' but under sequestration cutting that program "does the least harm."

(Image from file)

FMI: www.af.mil