Just hours prior to the August recess, the House approved a bi-partisan amendment to the 2008 defense appropriations bill that would ensure collective bargaining rights under the new National Security Personnel System. Congress continues to side with the federal employee unions, undercut this spring in their bid to ensure more robust NSPS labor relations safeguards. This latest measure, sponsored by Reps. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.), Walter Jones (R-N.C.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) would prohibit some NSPS funding until DOD sees the error of its ways. The unions continue to lobby Congress, as they wait for an appeal to the full district court of appeals. Senate and House authorizers also want to fix NSPS.
The Air Force should build its capacity and striking power with collaborative combat aircraft but must put the teaming aspect of the new class of weapons first, getting the concepts and software right at the outset to ensure that autonomous airplanes do what’s needed and expected—and can be trusted—argues a…