The Air Force’s plans for re-engining its 17 E8-C Joint STARS ground-surveillance aircraft are in limbo, says Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz. Already the E-8C testbed aircraft is fitted with new engines and the service intends to install them on four more aircraft. But beyond that, the path is unclear, Schwartz told Senate lawmakers March 4, citing several reasons. Among them, “There are issues with respect to the longevity of these airframes that raise questions in our minds,” he said, noting a cracked upper rear spar on one Joint STARS recently. Also, the service is exploring what future alternatives are best for tracking moving surface objects and persons. “I think the wise thing to do here is to proceed cautiously to re-engine the four airplanes … and get the [analysis of alternatives] and decide what the best way forward is,” said Schwartz.
The U.S. military is sending more fighter jets to the Middle East to step up its war with Iran, adding to what is already the largest buildup of airpower in the region since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. For now, the operation shows little sign of coming to a quick…