The list of potential offerors for a new combat rescue tanker aircraft to augment Air Force Special Operations Command’s combat search and rescue vehicle—CSAR-X—is continuing to grow. (DR 11/16/05) Joining the C-27J, according to Flight International, probably will be the EADS Casa C-295 and Airbus A400M and, possibly, the Lockheed Martin KC-130J. AFSOC doesn’t expect to start acquisition of the CRT until 2008. It is on tap to hold an industry day next month, though.
The Air Force F-35As that participated in Operation Midnight Hammer—the June 22 strike against Iranian uranium enrichment and nuclear research facilities—conducted both suppression of enemy air defenses, also called SEAD, and provided fighter cover for the strike force as it departed Iran, the service acknowledged Nov. 24.
