The pilots of the Czech Air Force are coming out of NATO’s Air Meet 2005 with big grins on their faces. Why? Because the pilots and their L159 Advanced Light Combat Aircraft “shot down” in simulated air combat US F-16 and F-18 fighters. They got their shot against frontline American aircraft and a variety of other aircraft in the alliance’s multinational exercise in Norway.
While the Pentagon has signaled its intent to scale technology, field new systems faster, and work more with nontraditional vendors, a new report identifies persistent manufacturing capacity, resourcing, workforce, and modernization challenges that could hinder its ability to deliver on those goals.