US Navy FY2025 aircraft budget request
The US Navy's 2025 aircraft budget request, as per the Department of the Navy's Fiscal Year 2025 President's Budget (PB25), outlines the procurement of 75 aircraft valued at USD 16,2 billion.
This request allocates funding for 53 fixed-wing aircraft, comprising 13 F-35B Lightning II and 13 F-35C Lightning II strike fighters, 27 Beechcraft T-54A Multi-Engine Training System (METS) aircraft, along with 19 rotary wing CH-53K King Stallions and three MQ-25 Stingray Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) designed for aerial refueling and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
However, it's important to note that this budget request remains subject to adjustments and changes by Congress. Notably, for 2025, no budget has been allocated for the KC-130J Super Hercules, Sikorsky MH-60R/S helicopters, MV-22B and CMV-22B Osprey, P-8A Poseidon, MQ-4C Triton, and MQ-9A Reaper Unmanned (Combat) Aerial Systems, and TH-73A Thrasher training helicopters. These programmes have reached completion, though deliveries are ongoing.
Looking ahead, the only new developments on the five-year horizon entail replacements for the T-45 Goshawk training aircraft and the E-6B Mercury strategic communications aircraft, with plans for a version based on the C-130J Super Hercules. Scramble Magazine first wrote on the come-back of the C-130 TACAMO in January 2021.
Credit photo: Mike Balserak (Scramble Archive)