Aeronautical 
Systems Center officials at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, have asked industry what promising technologies could be part of the next-generation tactical airlifter dubbed the joint future theater lift capability, or JFTL. This platform, the notional replacement to legacy C-130s, is eyed for fielding in the mid 2020s. USAF officials intend to use the feedback they receive from last week’s capability request for information posted at the Federal Business Opportunities website to support the Air Force’s Fiscal 2014 program objective memorandum. The CRFI is meant “to investigate the realm of the possible,” states the notice. The Air Force wants JFTL to be able to operate routinely in “complex, austere, unimproved/unprepared landing areas” in environments where “increased capacity, speed, payload, range, agility, access, depth, precision, simultaneity, and survivability will be at a premium,” states the document. Responses are due by Dec. 7. (CRFI document)
The U.K. and the U.S. will continue to enjoy access to the ports, airfield, and workshops at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean for at least another century, under a deal inked between the U.K. and Mauritius May 22.