Air Mobility Command officials Tuesday awarded $2.2 billion in airlift contracts for the Civil Reserve Air Fleet program, which lines up commercial airlines to supplement Air Force airlift, principally during emergencies. Awards went to Alliance Contractor Team, with an estimated $1.22 billion; Federal Express Team, $864 million; UPS Team, $121 million; Miami Air Team, $42 million and Continental Airlines, $11 million. Other contracts were awarded to Falcon Air Express, Grand Air Holdings, Lynden Air Cargo, MN Airlines, and Spirit Airlines for contracts between $2,000 and $254,000.
A yearslong effort to find an affordable way to turn cargo planes into strike platforms is now an official program with anticipated fielding in 2027.