The Air Force’s F-22 fighter, C-17 airlifter and C-130J transport all got a thumbs up July 20 from the Senate Appropriations Committee. In approving a $453.5 billion fiscal 2007 defense budget, the panel fully funded 20 Raptors, 12 C-17s, and 8 C-130Js. Other USAF aircraft programs weren’t so lucky. The powerful appropriators delayed F-35 fighter production one year “to permit additional testing and design maturity,” according to a release. It deferred new spending for a KC-135 tanker replacement program and put off procurement of the Air Force-Army Joint Cargo Aircraft, waiting for the two services to “fully define requirements and complete a joint concept of operations.” The bill must pass the full Senate and survive later negotiations with the House.
Small satellites meant to improve the way the U.S. measures Earth’s magnetic field—an option to expand the military’s position, navigation, and timing enterprise—launched March 30 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif.