Crisis in the skies: US Air Force reports lowest aircraft readiness in decade

The readiness of the US Air Force fleet saw a significant decline in fiscal year 2024, reaching its lowest point in at least a decade.

According to data provided to Air & Space Forces Magazine and cited by Caliber.Az, the average mission-capable (MC) rate across all Air Force fleets dropped to 67.15%, down from 69.92% in 2023 and 71.24% in 2022, marking the lowest rates compared to 2004-2006 and 2012-2024, the periods for which historical data is available.

This overall mission-capable rate reflects the non-weighted average across the fleet. When adjusted for the size of the fleets, the figures could slightly improve since the most challenged fleets are often the smallest. A mission-capable aircraft is defined as one able to perform at least one of its assigned core missions, like the F-35A’s ability to carry out counter-air, electronic warfare, and other tasks.

Despite changes in how the Air Force measures mission capability — including factors like the availability of trained aircrews and maintenance personnel — the Air Force’s readiness remains concerning. The most significant declines were seen in fighter aircraft readiness, with the F-22 experiencing a steep drop to 40.19% from 52% in 2023, continuing a downward trend over the past two years. This drop occurred despite the Air Force’s efforts to divest its least-capable F-22s, which Congress has blocked until at least 2028.

The F-35A, the Air Force’s fifth-generation fighter, saw a modest increase in its MC rate, reaching 51.5% in 2024, up slightly from the previous year. However, it remains a point of concern, with challenges around spare parts and delayed deliveries impacting its availability. On a more positive note, the newer F-15EX, with just eight aircraft in the fleet, achieved an impressive 83.13% mission-capable rate.

The Air Force’s ageing F-15C and F-15D fleets showed some improvement, with mission-capable rates rising to 52.9% and 63.7%, respectively, as the oldest aircraft were retired.

The Air Force’s mobility fleet, consisting of transport aircraft, performed better overall, with most aircraft maintaining mission-capable rates between 75-100%. Notably, the C-5M Galaxy, despite undergoing a ten-year, $10 billion upgrade, saw only a modest improvement, achieving a 48.6% mission-capable rate, still significantly lower than its performance in 2022.

Program managers attribute the low rate to parts shortages, a phenomenon known as "vanishing vendor syndrome." Despite this, there are ongoing efforts to raise its readiness to 55%.

The special mission and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) fleets showed mixed results. The CV-22 Osprey, which had been grounded for a significant portion of the year due to a fatal crash, posted a poor 30.45% mission-capable rate. On the other hand, the RQ-4 Global Hawk drone experienced a notable improvement, jumping from 50% to 64.59%, reflecting progress in its operational readiness.

Despite efforts to boost mission-capable rates in certain areas, the USAF faces widespread readiness challenges. With many aircraft showing declines in mission capability, and others experiencing only modest improvements, the Air Force’s operational readiness remains a critical issue.

The service continues to grapple with ageing fleets, parts shortages, and delays in aircraft upgrades — all factors that could affect its ability to conduct full-scale operations. As military readiness continues to be a priority, the Air Force will need to address these systemic issues to ensure its preparedness for future missions.

By Tamilla Hasanova