A news report about an alleged aft fuselage structural problem on the F-22 has caught the attention of House Armed Services TacAir subcommittee Chairman Curt Weldon. Weldon noted that the Air Force and Lockheed Martin are working to resolve the issue, which he said might affect the projected life of the aircraft. However, he demanded that the Air Force “convince the subcommittee that the F-22 design is stable” and provide other “required analysis,” such as the subcommittee’s unrequited requests for F-22 engine cost trends, before the subcommittee would approve the new multiyear procurement proposal.
B-21 Raider First Flight Now Postponed to 2023
May 20, 2022
The Air Force says the B-21 Raider won't make its first flight until 2023; about a six-month delay from the last official estimates. No reason was given for the delay. While other programs have recently chalked up schedule slips to supply chain and labor shortages, the Air Force has said…