Warner Robins Air Logistics Center and L-3 Communications have signed a strategic partnership agreement that is to serve as the basis for a long-term arrangement between the two for Joint Cargo Aircraft support opportunities—if L-3 wins the Army-Air Force JCA competition. L-3 is leader of a team that includes Alenia North America, Boeing, and Global Military Aircraft Systems that has entered the C-27J Spartan in the new medium tactical airlift program. At last word, the only remaining competitor is the Raytheon/EADS North America team offering either the C-295 or CN-235. The Army kicked Lockheed Martin out, and, in late November, the company lost its protest to the Government Accountability Office.
When an E-3 Sentry battle management aircraft was damaged in an Iranian attack on Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, it sparked a host of questions about one of the Air Force’s oldest, smallest, but most critical fleets. Experts say the service doesn’t have many options to answer those questions.