The F-35 steering committee—the acquisition leaders for the 11 partner countries—will meet in Norway this week to wrestle with maintenance and sustainment issues, government and industry officials said. On the agenda in Oslo are the Autonomic Information Logistics System (ALIS), plans for standing up overseas depot maintenance capabilities, spare parts distribution, and engine service, as well as planning for delivery of foreign aircraft over the next couple of years. Air Force acquisition chief William LaPlante will represent USAF interests at the event.
Lloyd Austin, President-elect Joe Biden’s pick to lead the Pentagon, spent his Senate confirmation hearing on Jan. 19 pressing his civilian bona fides to lawmakers, with some pledging opposition to the waiver Austin would need to become the nation’s first Black Defense Secretary. Austin spent 40 years in the military…