In a pre-solicitation notice issued this week, Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, said it would release the final request for proposals in the KC-X tanker replacement program not earlier than Feb. 23. ASC also said the contract would call for four developmental aircraft and up to 175 production aircraft produced at an “anticipated” target rate of 15 per year, which likely means the Pentagon still expects to issue a single contract not the dual buy some lawmakers and defense analysts believe is the better way forward. Northrop Grumman officials still say the Northrop-EADS team will not participate unless there are significant changes to the RFP. Pentagon and Air Force leaders remain convinced that there’s no need for major revisions.
Hawaii F-22s Wrap Up Deployment to Japan
April 9, 2021
F-22s and Airmen from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, forward deployed to Japan for almost one month to train with Japanese and U.S. Marine Corps aircraft as part of a “dynamic force employment” operation. The Raptors from the Active-duty 19th Fighter Squadron and Air National Guard 199th Fighter Squadron deployed…