A news report about an alleged aft fuselage structural problem on the F-22 has caught the attention of House Armed Services TacAir subcommittee Chairman Curt Weldon. Weldon noted that the Air Force and Lockheed Martin are working to resolve the issue, which he said might affect the projected life of the aircraft. However, he demanded that the Air Force “convince the subcommittee that the F-22 design is stable” and provide other “required analysis,” such as the subcommittee’s unrequited requests for F-22 engine cost trends, before the subcommittee would approve the new multiyear procurement proposal.
The Space Development Agency says it’s on track to issue its next batch of missile warning and tracking satellite contracts this month after those awards were delayed by the Pentagon’s decision to divert funds from the agency to pay troops during this fall’s prolonged government shutdown.
