Air Combat Command has 15 specialists looking over the shoulders of the Lockheed Martin production crews working at Marietta, Ga., to turn out new F-22A Raptors. The ACC team inspects each aircraft at it’s being built, eliminating the need for a 30-day tear-down of each new Raptor after it’s delivered to the Air Force, reports Air Force journalist Josh Aycock. MSgt. Timothy Silkwood, Raptor Acceptance Team superintendent, explains that only the ACC team can OK work on 257 inspection areas and turn over a “pre-accepted aircraft.” The team estimates that its work will save the Air Force around $119 million.
Competitors Not Picked for CCA Look Forward to Increment 2
April 25, 2024
While none of the major aircraft contractors were selected to develop the Collaborative Combat Aircraft, all three say they are seeking further autonomous aircraft work for the Navy, foreign partners, or in the classified arena, and maybe future versions of the CCA itself.