On the Government Accountability Office’s recent repudiation of the Air Force’s attempt to revisit the combat search and rescue helicopter replacement program, the GAO did not fault the way the service wanted to evaluate operating and support costs. However, it did fault the service for “unreasonably” limiting responses to its revised request for proposals, according to a summary of its decision. The GAO recommends that USAF “permit offerors to revise both the cost/price and non-cost/price aspects of their proposals.” GAO acknowledges that its recommendation is a “significant change” that “could delay the acquisition,” but it stands by its decision.
The Pentagon did not include any funding for the the E-7A Wedgetail in its 2027 budget request, setting up another round in its fight with Congress over the future of the Boeing-built successor to the E-3 Sentry Airborne Early Warning and Control jet.