Event Brief
Oct 21, 2026 at 5:02 PM ET
Air Force says it needs 1,509 fighters by 2035
By The BriefBrief
The U.S. Air Force says it needs 1,509 combat-coded fighters by 2035, according to a force structure report sent to Congress on Oct. 16. Lt. Gen. David Tabor said F-35s would make up about 40% of the fleet, while F-22s and their F-47 replacements would account for about 20%; the figures exclude A-10s.
WHO: The U.S. Air Force, as described by Lt. Gen. David Tabor
WHAT: The Air Force said its force structure report calls for 1,509 combat-coded fighters by 2035.
WHEN: Oct 16, 2026
WHERE: Washington, D.C., USA
WHY: The force total is based on what regional commanders say they need to carry out their missions at medium risk.
How this brief is built: The BriefBrief correlates multiple sources into one evolving event brief, updated as new facts emerge.
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