Potentially the replacement combat search and rescue aircraft program, if it runs through the full 141 aircraft buy, is valued at up to $15 billion. First, though, CSAR-X competition winner Boeing must work through Block 0—system development and demonstration—and delivery of 10 production aircraft to meet the Air Force’s 2012 timetable for initial operational capability. If the Air Force pursues the full procurement, production likely would extend to 2019.
An important U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry AWACS command and control plane was among the aircraft damaged in a March 27 Iranian missile and drone attack on Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, people familiar with the matter told Air & Space Forces Magazine.