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.
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…