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.
The Air Force ramped up operations and maintenance spending to keep its F-35A fighters flying over the past six years, but readiness continues to lag behind goals, according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office.