U.S.A.F. General Deptula: U.S. Air Superiority Is Ending, Defense Secretary Disagrees

From Coach Is Right (CIR) and Floyd Reports:

Is U.S. Air Superiority ending? Top USAF General says “Yes”, Gates says “No”


By Coach Collins, on September 18th, 2010





By Jim Emerson, staff writer



Lt. Gen. David Deptula, formally the U.S. Air Force’s top intelligence officer and an F-15 pilot is warning that the U.S. will lose its air power advantage. Monday at the Air Force Association’s Air & Space Convention and Technology Expo he warned that America is “dangerously ill-prepared to stop the gap-closing efforts of China and Russia.”



America’s adversaries are quickly developing their new generation of combat aircraft. The General estimates that Russia and China will field airframes compatible to the F-22 within a decade. The Russian PAK FA, in flight test, was specifically designed to counter the F-22 and F-35. His presentation was an attempt to resume the production of F-22 and to maintain America’s technology advantage. The General warned that we must not let others surpass our air superiority.



Russia and China as well as their customers rely heavily on surface to air missiles for defense. The S-300 SAMS are a serious threat to US legacy aircraft and further improvement will prove a deterrent to our latest generation of combat craft and cruise missiles. It has been reported that Russia has sold this system to Iran to protect its nuclear program. China is also mass producing copies of the S-300 for its own use as well for sale to anyone.



Gen. Deptula’s presentation is in direct contradiction to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates’ contention that the U.S. air power currently outmatches any foreign military. Keep in mind this Administration cancelled the production of F-22 and the majority of Front line combat aircraft is ageing without replacements; for example, the average age of the F-15 is 24 years. As compared to the newer Russian fighters Gates assertion is foolish at best. Right now the Chinese are producing and deploying their J-10 Fighters and soon will have more available in their inventory than we have F-22s. The F-35s are just beginning to be producted.



This Administration’s favorite cash cow has been the Department of Defense. There is no argument that some military programs can be cut but we must not throw away our security for pie-in-the-sky social programs and union payoffs. General Deptula has said it best, “Remember, there is no prize for second best.”