Orlando, February 19, 2010—Air
Combat Command is re-examining the standing target date to field USAF’s first combat-ready unit of F-35A strike fighters given the recent changes to the F-35 program, Gen. William Fraser, ACC boss, told reporters at AFA’s Air Warfare Symposium. “We are re-evaluating the IOC [initial operational capability] date and what our definition of that is,” he said. The current plan is to have the first operational unit in place in Fiscal 2013. Fraser did not say that date could not be met, even though the major restructure Pentagon leaders announced Feb. 1 would essentially extend development by about 13 months and slow production ramp-up. But, he said, “I think it’s incumbent upon me … to take a look at that.” Continue
The Space Development Agency says it’s on track to issue its next batch of missile warning and tracking satellite contracts this month after those awards were delayed by the Pentagon’s decision to divert funds from the agency to pay troops during this fall’s prolonged government shutdown.
