Daily Report

July 14, 2016

The Boom Solution

After months of delay, Boeing appears to have found a fix for the KC-46’s boom delivery system’s generation of “higher-than-expected boom axial loads” discovered during early test trials. The tanker successfully connected with and refueled a C-17 Globemaster III Tuesday...

Keeping F-22s Modern

It is critical to continue F-22 modernization to keep the fleet capable to sustain air superiority in the future, especially with the Raptor line staying closed, Air Combat Command boss Gen. Hawk Carlisle said. Speaking at a House Armed Services...

Textron Aiming to be Broad Training Supplier

Farnborough, UK Having recently acquired ATAC (Advanced Tactical Advantage Company), which hires out its small fleet of ex-military jets as “red air” opponents to a number of air forces, Textron is hoping to become a major player in training. The...

Airman Dies During SERE Training

An airman died last week during Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape training at JBSA-Camp Bullis, Texas, the Air Force announced Tuesday. A1C Kenneth Sturgill, assigned to the 66th Training Squadron, was found unresponsive Thursday—the day before he was to finish...

Final F-35 Software Twice as Good

Farnborough, UK There are far fewer problems with the objective 3F block of F-35 software, now more than two-thirds through flight testing, than there were in earlier iterations, program director Lt. Gen. Christopher Bogdan said Monday at a Farnborough Air...

F-35 Will Remain Advanced

Despite its very long gestation period, the F-35 will emerge as the most powerful air combat system in the world, Pentagon acquisition chief Frank Kendall said Monday at the Farnborough Air Show. In a press conference, Kendall said “it’s important...

Canada’s Impact on the F-35

Farnborough, UK The F-35 program is not immediately changing based on Canada’s recent decision to reevaluate its purchase of the fighter, senior program and defense officials said at the Farnborough Air Show. Pentagon acquisition, technology, and logistics chief Frank Kendall,...

The Fleet’s In

Farnborough, UK Navy acquisition chief Sean Stackley wants everyone to know the Navy is “fully committed” to the F-35 program. At a Farnborough Air Show press conference Monday, Stackley took umbrage at a reporter’s assertion that the sea service has...

Airstrike Kills Mastermind of Pakistan Attacks

A July 9 US airstrike in Afghanistan killed a senior leader of the Tariq Gidar Group responsible for multiple attacks on targets in Pakistan. The US Forces-Afghanistan strike on Islamic State-Khorasan Province Members in Nangarhar Province killed Umar Khalifa, the...