The omnibus defense acquisition reform bill (see above) proposed by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) includes a provision to greatly curtail the use of multiyear procurement arrangements by the military services. McCain says, “Buying weapons under a multiyear contract restricts Congress’ ability to exercise appropriate oversight.” He wants to limit the use of such contracts to “only the best performing and most stable programs.” The Air Force, right now, has a multiyear contract on the F-22A and may be working on one for an additional buy of C-17s under authority granted by Congress last year. McCain has a strong ally in this quest, because Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman, Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) opposed the F-22 MYP in the face of broad Senatorial support.
Anduril and General Atomics will develop their Collaborative Combat Aircraft for the Air Force, beating out Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman, the service announced on April 24. But any of the non-selected companies can compete to actually manufacture the eventual design, the Air Force said.