The Air Force has yet to decide whether it will accede to the Government Accountability Office recommendation to re-compete the combat search and rescue replacement helicopter program awarded to Boeing last fall, much to the surprise and dismay of Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky. However, the only official statement so far indicates USAF does not necessarily think a new CSAR-X competition will be necessary when it applies “the intent” of GAO’s recommendations “more narrowly.” The Air Force says it needs more time “ to fully review the details” before it can “determine an appropriate plan of action.”
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.