On Capitol Hill today, a bipartisan group of lawmakers, led by Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.), Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Rep. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.), and Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan.), are holding a press conference to attempt to sway the Pentagon, which, so far, has refused to consider the interim World Trade Organization ruling that Airbus illegally received European Union subsidies in developing some of its aircraft, in the KC-X tanker contract deliberations. (Brownback release) All four lawmakers support Boeing, which has said the Airbus subsidies have given the Northrop Grumman-EADS team an unfair advantage. (EADS is parent to Airbus.) In its latest response to questions over the draft request for proposals, USAF has simply referred to its statement in the RFP that the WTO dispute is not relevant. (RTQ Nov. 13, 2009, see p. 8) (For more RTQ, see Nov. 10 responses, Oct. 30 responses, Oct. 23 responses, and Keeping Up With KC-X Tidbits)
Air Force Conducts Test Launch of Minuteman III ICBM
May 21, 2025
The Air Force tested an unarmed Minuteman III ICBM from Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif,. at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time May. 21. The successful test saw the missile equipped with a single reentry vehicle travel more than 4,200 miles to strike a test site near Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall…