Several news reports indicate the Air Force likely will review its award of the combat search and rescue replacement aircraft award to Boeing. Although there is no definite word from the service, the Government Accountability Office, as we reported in the last Daily Report, has received separate protests from losing CSAR-X competitors, Lockheed Martin-Agusta Westland with the US101 and Sikorsky with the H-92. Air Force officials have justified their selection of Boeing’s HH-47, saying Boeing’s helicopter met its requirements and Boeing could provide the HH-47 earlier than the other competitors could provide their entrants. GAO has until late February to render a decision.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
