Boeing and Lockheed Martin made their teaming arrangement for the next increment of the Small Diameter Bomb program official Wednesday. Raytheon has announced its intent to compete for the small bomb prize. (DR, 09/30/05) There could be other interested parties, simply waiting for USAF to issue the Phase 2 request for proposal. It is due for release late this month. The actual competition would follow in the spring.
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.