Pentago
n acquisition boss John Young and USAF’s acquisition executive Sue Payton are expected to appear tomorrow in front of the House Armed Services Committee to discuss the path forward for theKC-X tanker program. So far, we haven’t heard anything concrete, but, in the meantime, some lawmakers have been making tanker-related news. For example, the Press-Register of Mobile, Ala., reported July 7 that Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) has joined other members of the Alabama Congressional delegation (hint: Northrop Grumman supporters) in condemning a bill introduced by members of the Kansas Congressional delegation (hint: Boeing supporters) that would force USAF to recompete the program or award the multi-billion-dollar contract to Boeing outright. “This approach is irresponsible, short-sighted and harmful to both the warfighter and the nation,” Shelby told Defense Secretary Robert Gates in a July 2 letter, according to the newspaper.
The Air Force could conduct an operation like Israel's successful air campaign against Iran's nuclear sites, military leadership and air defenses, but readiness issues would make it risky, airpower experts said. Limited spare parts and training, low mission capable rates and few flying hours would put a drag on USAF's…