The Air Force wants to know whether potential tanker replacement bidders are receiving any government financial contributions, including subsidies—and it wants specifics. Inclusion of this question in the tanker RFI came as welcome news for lawmakers who have long questioned the efficacy of giving Pentagon business to such companies as Airbus maker EADS, which is subsidized by European governments. In a statement, Rep. Norm Dicks (D-Wash.) says it is “encouraging” to see the RFI issued and “even more encouraging” to see that it addresses the question of “unfair subsidies the European governments have given the [Airbus] consortium.”
The Air Force's new Aircraft Readiness Unit will maintain and provide Collaborative Combat Aircraft for operations, but won’t serve as a “schoolhouse” teaching fighter pilots how to manage these escort drones.