Several press reports say Pentagon acquisition chief Ken Kreig has given the green light for the Air Force to re-engage its effort to find an aerial refueling aircraft replacement. The first step will be a formal request for information, which Pentagon spokeswoman Cheryl Irwin tells the Mobile Register should go out within the next few weeks to the two known competitors—Boeing and the Northrop Grumman-EADS team. (USAF had released an RFI last fall, only to have to call it back as “premature.”) Irwin indicated the Pentagon expects to take the next step, issuing a request for proposals, by early fall and could reach a decision in early 2007. Krieg is scheduled to hold a press briefing at the Pentagon late today.
The Space Force team responsible for developing advanced battle management capabilities wants to create a better pipeline for mature space domain awareness tools to move from the lab into the hands of operators.
