Is there a possible latch-up between the Army and the Air Force to jointly develop a new intelligence-gathering aircraft? Considering the Army’s Aerial Common Sensor aircraft program—which is being worked with the Navy—is in trouble, we guess it makes sense to hunt for new friends. Army Secretary Francis Harvey told Aviation Now last week that the Army and Air Force are in “dialogue.” He also said he would welcome USAF participation, adding, “It’s the Air Force, and this is an airplane.”
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.