As for USAF asking to manage its own fleet of aircraft—including retirement when deemed necessary—Rep. Ike Skelton (D-Mo.), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, told defense reporters Tuesday morning that he thinks the issue will be addressed this year. “Stay tuned,” he said, adding, “It’s a tug-of-war, politically.” He acknowledged that Chief of Staff Gen. Michael Moseley has spoken to him about it a couple of times and Skelton says he is sympathetic to the Air Force’s plight.
A combined Navy and Air Force program is seeking to build a smaller version of a ubiquitous air-to-air missile that could give advanced aircraft, such as the Collaborative Combat Aircraft, greater magazine depth in a high-end fight.