Aircraft

The F-22 program's use of Section 804 rapid prototyping authority has led the program office to restructure two key upgrade efforts into an iterative, two-phased software delivery plan aimed at fielding more capability at a faster pace.

As Pentagon officials reckon with a potential requirement for additional strategic airlift to execute the new National Defense Strategy, a blueprint for action was mapped out in policy reviews to support capping C-17 production in 2015, including a potential $7 billion tab to restart the C-17 line, upgrading C-5s in the bone yard to grow the fleet and increased reliance on civilian cargo haulers.

ST. GEORGE, UT -- As the Air Force prepares to release a request for proposals for a next-generation ejection seat to meet new safety and performance requirements, the service is working with two leading seatmakers to reduce risk before the competition starts.

The services expect the next update to the F-35's logistics information system in "mid-2019" to enable it to connect to legacy information technology systems, according to a Navy spokeswoman.

The general in charge of the Air Force’s mobility forces said today her command could gain three new C-17 squadrons as part of the service’s campaign to add 74 new squadrons by 2030.

Defense lawmakers rejected several Navy reprogramming requests that would have funded a consulting group for surface warfare reforms, supported developing a high-energy laser and financed an effort related to investigating physiological episodes occurring within the F/A-18 and E/A-18 fleets.

The Air Force expects the F-22 Raptors left behind at Tyndall Air Force Base, FL, during Hurricane Michael to all be repairable, but officials are still waiting to conduct thorough assessments of the jets.

Air Force officials are considering ways to increase sustainment for the service's fleet of C-135 intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft to prepare them for peer conflict, as the platforms face a slew of engine and structural problems.

Deputy Defense Secretary Pat Shanahan said a new aircraft readiness directive ordering the Air Force and the Navy to achieve 80 percent readiness rates for four key tactical fighter jets by the end of this fiscal year will help the Pentagon prove to Congress it is effectively spending a recent funding boost and make the case that further relief from statutory budget caps is warranted.