The Air Force has decided to ignore the governmental subsidy issue before the World Trade Organization when USAF reviews proposals for its tanker replacement program, reports Reuters news service. Ken Miller, who is special assistant to the Air Force Secretary for acquisition governance and transparency, said Monday that whatever WTO decides, the outcome “will be neutral.” Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and various Alabama elected officials viewed the contentious issue as an attempt to eliminate the Northrop Grumman-EADS team from the tanker program in favor of Boeing.
The Air Force has finished resurrecting a B-1B Lancer, completing a yearslong process to transform a bomber that had been stored for parts in the Arizona desert into the new flagship of the 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas.