Editing Northrop Grumman E-8 Joint STARS (section)

===Retirement===
The USAF began an analysis of alternatives (AOA) in March 2010 for its next generation GMTI radar aircraft fleet. The study was completed in March 2012 and recommended buying a new business jet-based [[ISTAR#ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance)|ISR]] aircraft, such as a version of the [[Boeing 737]], and the [[Gulfstream 550]].<ref name="airandspaceforces_com">{{cite web |url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/article/the-jstars-recap/ |title=The JSTARS Recap}}</ref> The Air Force said Joint STARS was expected to remain in operation through 2030.<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/usaf-cant-afford-jstars-replacement-369732/ USAF can't afford JSTARS replacement] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117142402/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/usaf-cant-afford-jstars-replacement-369732/ |date=2013-01-17}} - Flightglobal.com, 20 March 2012.</ref><ref>[https://archive.today/20130802224517/http://www.defensenews.com/article/20121009/C4ISR01/310090012/With-No-Replacement-Sight-Joint-STARS-Feel-Strain With No Replacement in Sight, Joint STARS Feel Strain] - Defensenews.com, 9 October 2012.</ref>

On 23 January 2014, the USAF revealed a plan for the acquisition of a new business jet-class replacement for the E-8C Joint STARS. The program was called Joint STARS Recap and planned for the aircraft to reach initial operating capability (IOC) by 2022. The aircraft would be more efficient, and separate contracts would be awarded for developing the aircraft, airborne sensor, battle management command and control (BMC2) system, and communications subsystem.<ref name="airandspaceforces_com" />

On 8 April 2014, the Air Force held an industry day for companies interested in competing for JSTARS Recap; attendees included [[Boeing]], [[Bombardier Aerospace]], and [[Gulfstream Aerospace]]. Air Force procurement documents called for a replacement for the Boeing 707-based E-8C as a "business jet class" aircraft that is "significantly smaller and more efficient."<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-bombardier-and-gulfstream-attend-jstars-industry-398403/ Boeing, Bombardier and Gulfstream attend JSTARS industry day] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426105857/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-bombardier-and-gulfstream-attend-jstars-industry-398403/ |date=2014-04-26}} - Flightglobal.com, 21 April 2014</ref> Indicative specification were for an aircraft with a 10-13 person crew with a {{convert|3.96|-|6.1|m|ft|abbr=on}} radar array and capable of flying at 38,000&nbsp;ft for eight hours. In August 2015, the Air Force issued contracts to Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman for a one-year pre-engineering and manufacturing development effort to mature and test competing designs ahead of a downselect in late 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2015/12/11/pentagon-approves-next-step-for-jstars-recap/ |title=Pentagon Approves Next Step for JSTARS Recap |date=11 December 2015}}</ref>

During the fiscal 2019 budget rollout briefing it was announced that the Air Force will not move forward with an E-8C replacement aircraft. Funding for the JSTARS recapitalization program was instead be diverted to pay for development of an Advanced Battle Management System.<ref>[https://www.military.com/dodbuzz/2018/02/12/air-force-kills-jstars-upgrade.html "Air Force Kills JSTARS Upgrade"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215084351/https://www.military.com/dodbuzz/2018/02/12/air-force-kills-jstars-upgrade.html |date=2018-02-15}} Military.com, 12 February 2018</ref><ref>[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/jstars-replacement-cancelled-in-new-usaf-budget-plan-445844/ "JSTARS replacement cancelled in new USAF budget plan"]. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215084107/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/jstars-replacement-cancelled-in-new-usaf-budget-plan-445844/ |date=2018-02-15}} FlightGlobal, 13 February 2018</ref>

The E-8C JSTARS began to be retired in February 2022, and flew its last operational sortie on 21 September 2023. Rather than procure a replacement aircraft, the USAF intends to use a network of satellites, aircraft sensors and ground radars as a cheaper and more resilient approach to collecting similar targeting and tracking data.<ref>[https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-air-force/2023/10/02/air-forces-jstars-flies-last-intel-mission-after-3-decades-in-service/ "Air Force's JSTARS flies last intel mission after 3 decades in service"]. ''[[Defense News]]''. 2 October 2023.</ref> The JSTARS performed its last flight on 15 November 2023. The aircraft conducted some 14,000 operational sorties, flying more than 141,000 hours over 32 years of service.<ref>[https://www.airandspaceforces.com/last-jstars-e-8-retires/ JSTARS Flies West: USAF Retires Its Last E-8C]. ''Air & Space Forces Magazine''. 16 November 2023.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dvidshub.net/image/8106384/photo-joint-stars-sunset-celebration |title=Photo of Joint STARS Sunset Celebration}}</ref>