The importance of fielding a new helicopter to replace Vietnam War-era UH-1 Hueys “is well understood at all levels within the joint world as well as the Air Force,” Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, tells the Daily Report. Klotz, in his role as AFGSC boss, is the chief advocate for the Huey replacement, which is known as the common vertical-lift support platform. Asked if he favors the CVLSP acquisition being combined with the recapitalization of service’s HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue helicopters, as some press reports indicate is being considered, he said his focus is simply on getting a more capable helicopter. How that is done, Klotz said, “I’ll leave to the professionals and experts in our acquisition corps.” Klotz spoke with the Daily Report briefly after his speech on Capitol Hill Friday (see Minuteman III entry above).
The Air Force has awarded a $29.7 million contract to engine startup Beehive Industries to complete work on a new disposable jet engine meant to power drones and munitions. The contract is just the latest step in the service’s effort to massively scale up production of cheap new missiles and…
