The Connecticut-based Sikorsky has filed a protest with the Government Accountability Office over the Air Force’s modus operandi for re-competing the combat search and rescue helicopter replacement program, making the protest picture complete since Lockheed Martin filed a new protest last week. Sikorsky spokesman Paul Jackson told the Connecticut Post, “Our original concern remains that the Air Force is not fully considering the complete merits of the individual aircraft platforms.” The GAO reportedly has indicated it can perform a speedy resolution of the latest protests.
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.