Japan and the US are considering constructing a floating runway off Japan to alleviate concerns over noise pollution generated by night practice of US Navy airplanes, according to the Yomiuri Shimbun. The runway would be about 2.5 miles from Iwakune Marine Corps Air Station, which is 440 miles southeast of Tokyo. Construction costs for the project are estimated between $3.6 and $4.5 billion.
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.