The Air Force and the Army are moving forward on the Joint Combat Aircraft despite “some minor differences” and should achieve a production decision by the end of May, says Lt. Gen. Howie Chandler, USAF deputy chief of staff for operations, plans, and requirements. (The Defense Acquisition Board has JCA on its schedule for May 30.) Chandler told the air-land panel of the Senate Armed Services Committee last week, “Those differences are going to be so minor that, whatever we need to do with those, we’ll have plenty of time to make adjustments as we work the program through.” The Army expects to start production on its version this fiscal year, with USAF following in Fiscal 2010.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
