The entire F-117 fleet at Holloman AFB, N.M. achieved a 100 percent mission capable rate from Sept. 28 to Oct. 1, soon after the Nighthawk’s 25th anniversary. “It is unusual for a fleet of any size to go to 100 percent mission capable,”said Col. Gary Bryson, 49th Maintenance Group commander. The perfect 100 percent rate means no aircraft systems were broken, no parts were waiting, and all the radar absorbent material coatings are within war-ready status. CMSgt. Wendy Jones with the 49th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron said that all the group’s maintainers “truly performed as a team to meet this feat.” (For history on the F-117, read Air Force Magazine’s “Fade to Black.”)
The emphasis on speed in the Pentagon’s newly unveiled slate of acquisition reforms may come with increased near-term cost increases, analysts say. But according to U.S. defense officials, the new weapons-buying construct provides the military with enough flexibility to prevent runaway budget overruns in major programs.
