In the 2007 defense spending bill, just signed into law by President Bush, Congress approved the Air Force’s controversial multiyear procurement plan for the F-22A Raptor. According to the conference report, House and Senate appropriators agreed to an MYP for 60 aircraft, beginning with 20 in Fiscal 2007 and followed by 20 each in 2008 and 2009. They also stated that they “expect the Department of the Air Force will continue to seek improved efficiencies in this program.” The Air Force believes the MYP will save money, considering the overall reduced buy of the new stealth fighters, but, more importantly, would extend the fifth-generation production line should there be a delay with the F-35.
The Air Force is placing Air Combat Command in charge of teaching combat tactics to fighter and remotely-piloted aircraft units, according to a May 12 announcement. Beginning this summer, the service will reassign the formal training units for the F-35, F-16, and MQ-9 from Air Education and Training Command to…