The Pentagon’s Defense Acquisition Board met Oct. 31 to consider the merits of the Air Force’s plan to purchase new combat search and rescue helicopters, known as the CSAR-X program. News reports say the Pentagon will reveal the DAB decision next week. Pentagon acquisition chief, Ken Krieg, last spring reviewed how USAF’s plan meshed with other military aircraft plans, giving an OK to proceed. Once the DAB gives USAF the “final” green light—which reportedly is the case—the Air Force can wrap up the competition this month.
The Air Force has finished resurrecting a B-1B Lancer, completing a yearslong process to transform a bomber that had been stored for parts in the Arizona desert into the new flagship of the 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas.