Air Force Mission Capability Rates Reach Lowest Levels in Years
Feb. 18, 2025 | By John A. Tirpak
Aircraft readiness declined across the Air Force fleet in 2024, dropping to its lowest level in at least a decade and perhaps 20 years, according to data provided to Air & Space Forces Magazine.
The average mission capable rate for all USAF fleets was 67.15 percent in fiscal 2024, down from 69.92 percent in fiscal 2023 and 71.24 percent in fiscal 2022. Compared to 2004-2006 and 2012-2024, years for which data was available, the 2024 rates were the lowest.
These rates represent a non-weighted average of all the fleets. A weighted average could be somewhat better, as the most challenged fleets are among the smallest in USAF’s inventory.
An aircraft is “mission capable” when it is able to perform at least one of its several core missions. For example, the F-35A’s missions include counter-air, electronic warfare, ground attack, and data collection, so to be mission capable, an aircraft must be able to execute at least one of those missions. The Air Force does not disclose full-mission capable rates, which measure aircraft types’ readiness to conduct all assigned missions.
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-mission-capable-rates-fiscal-2024/
