If the House Armed Services Committee has its way, the Transformational Communications Satellite program will continue, with no cut in 2008 funding—depending on which page of the committee’s summary you read. In its summary text the committee cites its strong support for TSAT and commends the Air Force’s initiatives to reduce program risk, saying it recommends $863.6 million for the program. The Air Force table at the back of the summary shows a recommendation of $936.6 million, the same as the President’s budget request. Some lawmakers may get it after all.
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.