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 tanker fleet “did not meet” its availability and mission capable rate goals from fiscal 2019 to 2025, in large part because of parts shortages and delays fielding the KC-46 refueler, according to a Government Accountability Office report released June 10.