The Air Force is promoting “One Materiel Enterprise” as a means by which it can overcome weapon-system acquisition challenges, reports JoAnne Rumple. Air Force acquisition leader Sue Payton and Air Force Materiel Command boss Gen. Bruce Carlson explained recently at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, that the effort would reduce weapon system requirements creep and help prevent program delays. Payton said that Carlson now would serve on a new Air Force integrated life-cycle management executive forum that “ultimately will give you better decisions about requirements, resources, and technology.”
The Air Force has embraced new technical approaches like open mission systems and rapid software updates for cutting-edge aircraft like the B-21 and Collaborative Combat Aircraft. Increasingly, though, the service is also working to apply these to its older, “legacy” aircraft, officials said this week.