Those words indicate the belief by Maj. Gen. Richard Lewis, USAF’s F-22 program executive officer, that the F-22A is an ideal candidate for a much-in-dispute multiyear funding approach. The Senate apparently agrees but, at last word, the House is not yet sold. Lewis explains that allowing the contractor to buy materials and parts in bulk would mitigate the increase in cost per aircraft created by the planned slow-down in production to just 20 aircraft in each of Lot 7, 8, and 9. The multiyear arrangement would enable the service to stretch procurement to 2011, keeping the line hot in case there are further delays with the other fifth-generation fighter, the F-35. It could provide, says Lewis, about $225 million in cost avoidance.
Skyborg Makes First Flight Aboard Kratos Mako
May 5, 2021
The Skyborg software and hardware suite allowing unmanned aircraft to team with crewed ones flew for the first time April 29, the Air Force said, launching a series of experiments meant to prove the safety and effectiveness of the approach.