Megan Scully of CongressDaily reports that, in crafting the 2008 defense policy bill, lawmakers reduced the “specialty metals” pain delivered by the “Buy America” rule in last year’s defense bill. Supporters of the Buy America provision say the new bill, which is on its way to the President for signature, provides a compromise that still supports domestic metals suppliers. Many in the defense industry had complained about the earlier provision, which they believed was overly restrictive, citing the expense in trying to determine the origins of various metals. The Pentagon had to issue waivers to keep some critical products flowing.
The Air Force is spending heavily on F-22 improvements through the end of the decade, suggesting it may not retire the jet in 2030 as it previously planned. New sensors, fuel tanks, communications, and electronic warfare systems are among the upgrades that comprise the package.