I don’t dispute most of what you’ve said there, but do take exception to your singling out the USAF as being the only service to maintain an ongoing maintenance program, etc.
As a management retiree of Bell Helicopter, I feel the continuing upgrades of the AH-1 Cobras, OH-1 Kiowas and the UH-1 Hueys for the Army, Navy, AF and Marines since the 1950-60 era of their development indicates those aircraft have all been modernized and are in use by the services. ....Additionally, the AF and Marine versions of the V-22 are highly valued and successful in their deployments; spawned from the early XV-15s of the 1970s.
Just trying to point out that it’s not only the AF that continues to try to upgrade and improve. The other military services also do the same.
“...Just trying to point out that it’s not only the AF that continues to try to upgrade and improve. The other military services also do the same.”
Delighted to defer to octex on rotary-wing aircraft maintenance/SLEP/upgrades.
I wrote only of fixed-wing programs, and some related systems.
Not that USAF pursues any such family of programs for its fixed-wing inventory with steadiness nor balanced enthusiasm. But most operators in USAF have only the sketchiest idea of the agencies and personnel supporting them. To the lasting embarrassment of some of us.