U.S. Aircraft Carrier Fleet May Fall To 7

ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 23, 2008) French F-2 Rafale M, E-2C Hawkeye and American F/A-18 Super Hornet aircraft perform a fly-by over the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) during integrated French and American carrier qualifications and cyclic flight operations. The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group is participating in Joint Task Force Exercise "Operation Brimstone" off the Atlantic coast. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jonathan Snyder/Released)

From New Wars:

Has there ever been a case in history where a battleship was sent to defend a nation without her guns? This bizarre scenario may actually occur unless the US Navy deals with it’s “fighter gap” of several hundred warplanes. From DoD Buzz we learn:

At a discussion this week on the Navy’s “fighter gap” at the Center for National Policy in Washington, one of the defense world’s most knowledgeable sources on all things Navy, CRS’ Ron O’Rourke, tried to put a definitive number on that “gap.” From the Navy’s public statements, O’Rourke calculated the number at anywhere between 125 and 243 aircraft, although some in industry contend it’s 300 or more. The peak of this shortfall is projected to occur around 2015; the Navy contends a shortage of strike-fighters could reduce the number of available carriers from 11 to seven around that time.

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Previous Post: The Navy’s Fighter Gap?

My Comment: This is not the first time that I have heard of this "fighter gap" .... and on how big this "gap" will be .... I would rely more on the pessimistic projections of what will happen.

Another prediction .... as 2015 approaches, this story will become more dominant in the media, and it is going to be a used as an example of poor planning and leadership in the Pentagon, Congress, and the desk of the Commander in Chief.

More News On This Fighter Gap

Experts Consider Navy Fighter Gap -- Aviation Week
Fixing the Fighter Gap Facing the U.S. Navy, Air Force, and Air National Guard -- Heritage Foundation
The Growing Air Power Fighter Gap: Implications for U.S. National Security -- F-16.net