Air Force need for F-35s is under review

Air Force Chief of Staff Norton Schwartz on Wednesday signaled that the service's requirement for 1,763 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters is being examined during the comprehensive Quadrennial Defense Review now under way.

Whether the Air Force ultimately buys more or fewer F-35s than planned depends on that review of military capabilities and requirements, the four-star general told the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. Indeed, the Air Force's plan to field a total of 2,250 fighters, both old and new, is also under review, according to Schwartz.

"It could end up being less," he said, adding, "if that's the case, we will still have a predominately F-35" force.

Still, Schwartz said he expects to have "well over" 1,500 F-35s.

Also on Wednesday, Air Force Secretary Michael Donley said he is hopeful the Pentagon will have a new request for proposals for its next fleet of aerial refueling tankers ready by this summer. Donley also said the Defense Department had not decided whether the Air Force or the Pentagon would manage the competitive bidding process.