Cope India 2006, the major exercise being staged in India by USAF and the Indian Air Force, is getting interesting. For the first time, USAF fighter pilots have gone up against India’s newest and most advanced aircraft—the Russia-designed Su-30 MKI. The MKI has thrust-vectoring capability, making it highly maneuverable. The air-to-air encounter unfolded on Nov. 9, said USAF. It pitted two F-16s against the Indian fighter. Some 250 PACAF airmen have deployed to India for the two-week exercise. No word yet on the result.
The "Air Force One" replacement will be two to three years late due to pandemic issues, testing, and the loss of a subcontractor on the interior, USAF officials reported at a House Armed Services Committee hearing. They were also warned that some HASC members will insist on a competition for…