The Air Force has awarded $16 million to Raytheon for the company to continue providing logistics support for the T-6A Texan II Joint Primary Aircraft Training System ground-based training system. This marks the sixth straight option on this program for Raytheon, which began T-6A ground training at Moody AFB, Ga., in 2001. In addition to the state-of-the-art GBTS, Raytheon so far has delivered 335 of the 420 JPATS aircraft ordered by the Air Force and Navy. The total program calls for delivery of 800 T-6As by 2017.
Lawmakers are growing impatient for an overdue fighter recapitalization study from the Air Force, and members say they'll demand more detailed justifications for future aircraft retirements.