There is still much Congressional concern over management of two key space programs—the Transformational Satellite and Space Radar—leading the strategic forces panel of the House Armed Services Committee to recommend cutting the Administration’s 2007 budget request for TSAT by $80 million and Space Radar by $30 million. A statement by panel chairman, Rep. Terry Everett (R-Ala.), indicates that the lawmakers support both programs but questioned whether the 2007 plans “were executable.” Air Force Undersecretary Ronald Sega informed lawmakers earlier of the service’s new direction for TSAT—employing a “fighter block approach”—and is working with combatant commanders to better define the Space Radar.
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.