Wednesday afternoon the Air Force acknowledged that it had released its amended final request for proposals on the combat search and rescue replacement aircraft program. In its statement, the service indicated that it had met with each of the original three offerors and had exchanged “questions and comments” in what officials have consistently described as an “open and transparent process.” In an apparent attempt to deflect some of the criticism that has focused on lack of warfighter input, the statement also notes that “experienced Air Force combat search and rescue personnel, both aircrews and maintainers, have been involved in every step of the acquisition process.” USAF expects to complete evaluation of new proposals from Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Sikorsky in the fall.
National Guard adjutants general from nearly two dozen states have signed a letter to Congress seeking multiyear funding for the Air Force to purchase between 72 and 100 new fighter jets per year to modernize the total force.The letter, sent to Congress last week, stresses the need for the Air…