USAF to Stand Up New Rapid Sustainment Office
The Air Force will create a new rapid sustainment office, aimed as using emerging technologies to help lower the costs of repairing aircraft and operating depots, service secretary Heather Wilson announced Wednesday. Read the full story by Brian Everstine.
How the Air Force Plans to Make Space Defendable
The Air Force is preparing for possible war in space through a three step approach, aimed at improving space situational awareness, command and control of space assets, and developing the “ability to create effects” in orbit, Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson said Wednesday. Read the full story by Brian Everstine.
Compromise NDAA Would Fund National Air and Space intelligence Center Expansion
The compromise defense authorization legislation now awaiting final House and Senate action, would authorize $182 million to fund the first two phases of modernization of the National Air and Space Intelligence Center at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. The center provides the Pentagon intelligence on foreign air and space threats. Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) in a Tuesday statement praised the proposed authorization of funding to begin modernization and said he looked forward to passage of the legislation soon “because new facilities are critical for NASIC to fulfill its increasingly important intelligence analysis mission for our Air Force and national policymakers.” Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) said in a Monday statement the bill, including the NASIC language, “will make sure Wright-Patt’s highly skilled workers can continue to do their jobs and help meet our national security needs.” —Steve Hirsch
Leidos Wins $620 Million F-16 Avionics Support Integration Program Contract
The Air Force on Tuesday awarded Leidos a $620 million contract for F-16 avionics support integration, a contract supporting several major commands and almost two dozen foreign countries. The announcement says the contract is for “an independent, prime non-manufacturing product support integrator” who will provide “single-point solutions for the F-16 advanced avionics intermediate shop, improved avionics intermediate shop, rackmount improved avionics intermediate shop, AIS automated test equipment components, ancillary support equipment, and test program set system hardware and software sustainment and procurement activities.” Work, to be completed within five years, will be conducted at Hill AFB, Utah, and Robins AFB, Ga., in support of seven Air Force major commands and 23 European participating Air Force and foreign military sales countries. —Steve Hirsch
South Korean Officer Makes First F-35A Flight
South Korean Air Force F-35A pilot Maj. Kiyun Jung took his first flight July 20 from Luke AFB, Ariz., the Air Force announced. Jung’s first solo mission followed a year of preparation and instruction. Jung is the first student in the Korean chapter of flight training for the five-year program, and two more classes of South Korean students are set to train as F-35A pilots, according to an Air Force release. Lt. Col. Jason Bartels, 56th Operations Group foreign military sales director pointed to the broad contributions to the effort involved. “Together we are building the future of airpower not only for the United States, but with our great allies around the world. I am proud and humbled to see our two nations work together and build closer ties in the world’s most advanced fighter,” he said in the release. —Steve Hirsch
_
RADAR SWEEP
—The Air Force is considering shifting F-16 training for Taiwanese pilots from Luke AFB, Ariz., to Tucson International Airport? by the end of 2019: Associated Press.
—UK Royal Army JTACs trained with B-1Bs form Ellsworth AFB, S.D., during a recent exercise that ran from July 14-14: Ellsworth release.
—The 317th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Dyess AFB, Texas, recently adopted a new wash process that cuts in half the time needed to wash a C-130: Dyess release.
—Air University this month launched a new free mobile app to keep students more in touch with the university: Maxwell AFB release.
—The Air Force is planning to give the Philippines updated OV-10 Bronco aircraft, which were previously flown in combat in the Middle East: Defense News.