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.
Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi met U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Jan. 15 as the two nations look to further solidify their ties in the face of growing Chinese and North Korean threats.
