• The US Air Force lacks enough available and updated airborne battle management aircraft.
• The department needs additional ABM aircraft to address the threat.
• The current fleet is aging and has limited component replacement options.
• The ABM capacity gap is most apparent in the Air Force.
• The US air campaign may leave only two or three E-3 Sentries available for other existing needs.

The US Air Force's limited ABM capacity may compromise its ability to respond to drone and cruise missile threats, which could have significant strategic implications for the country's national security. The lack of a viable near-term solution to the ABM gap may lead to a decrease in the Air Force's effectiveness in air operations, which could have far-reaching consequences for the country's defense priorities. The Department of Defense and Congress must work together to revitalize the ABM fleet and ensure a resilient and balanced sensing and C2 architecture over the long-term.