Congressional appropriations subcommittees have approved some $21 million for additional construction at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, to continue base construction to support the new C-17 strategic airlifter. Hickam received its first C-17 just a year ago. The money will go toward a new ramp and maintenance and supply facilities for the joint active duty and Air National Guard C-17 operation.
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.