The Pentagon’s Defense Acquisition Board met Oct. 31 to consider the merits of the Air Force’s plan to purchase new combat search and rescue helicopters, known as the CSAR-X program. News reports say the Pentagon will reveal the DAB decision next week. Pentagon acquisition chief, Ken Krieg, last spring reviewed how USAF’s plan meshed with other military aircraft plans, giving an OK to proceed. Once the DAB gives USAF the “final” green light—which reportedly is the case—the Air Force can wrap up the competition this month.
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.