The director of Army Aviation, Brig. Gen. Stephen D. Mundt, warns that budget cuts currently planned by Congress could deal a serious blow to progress of the Air Force-Army Joint Cargo Aircraft. According to a July 19 American Forces Press Service release, the general believes the trims could delay production by as much as two years and drive up the price. Plans call for the JCA to replace the Army’s C-23 Sherpa, C-26 Metroliner, and C-12 Huron, as well as some limited C-130 missions. Mundt said the Army hopes to get initial JCAs in fiscal 2007. The two services signed a JCA memorandum of agreement in June.
Lockheed Martin plans to enter the Advanced Tactical Trainer fray to supply the Air Force with a new jet to bridge between undergraduate flight instruction and fighter training units, but declined to say whether it will offer a T-50A derivative, a different non-developmental airplane, or a clean-sheet design. It's comments…