Boeing’s KC-46A refueler, T-7A trainer face more delays

Boeing’s KC-46A refueler, T-7A trainer face more delays
Boeing’s KC-46A refueler, T-7A trainer face more delays

Air Force acquisition chief Andrew Hunter noted potential troubles ahead for the KC-46A and said T-7A production could start “a little later” than previously anticipated, but he remained confident about the way forward for the two aircraft.

Air Force halves MH-139A Grey Wolf helo buy in FY25 budget request

Air Force halves MH-139A Grey Wolf helo buy in FY25 budget request
Air Force halves MH-139A Grey Wolf helo buy in FY25 budget request

“It’s just about the overall budget of the Air Force and what we’re able to afford and what we’re not able to afford,” explained Air Force acquisition chief Andrew Hunter of the decision to cut the birds.

Pentagon scales back F-35, F-15EX fighter buys in FY25 budget request

Pentagon scales back F-35, F-15EX fighter buys in FY25 budget request
Pentagon scales back F-35, F-15EX fighter buys in FY25 budget request

Across the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, the Pentagon will purchase 21 fewer fighter jets than originally expected for the 2025 fiscal year, dropping a planned buy of 107 to 86.

Air Force wants to retire 250 aircraft as part of $188B FY25 budget request

Air Force wants to retire 250 aircraft as part of $188B FY25 budget request
Air Force wants to retire 250 aircraft as part of $188B FY25 budget request

“We’re very, very fixated on being competitive with the pacing challenge [of China],” said Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall. “I think the budget that we’ve submitted moves us forward — not quite as fast as we would like to, but it moves us forward in the right direction while maintaining current capabilities that are essential to the nation.”

‘Political decisions’: Saab CEO says NATO rushed E-3 replacement decision in favor of E-7 Wedgetail

‘Political decisions’: Saab CEO says NATO rushed E-3 replacement decision in favor of E-7 Wedgetail
‘Political decisions’: Saab CEO says NATO rushed E-3 replacement decision in favor of E-7 Wedgetail

“We were asked to put in our offer and then they [the NATO Support and Procurement Agency] didn’t really go into discussion with us, because they had already decided they had to go and buy Wedgetail,” Micael Johansson, CEO at Saab told Breaking Defense.

F-22s ‘highest priority’ for near-term fight, Air Force acquisition boss says

F-22s ‘highest priority’ for near-term fight, Air Force acquisition boss says
F-22s ‘highest priority’ for near-term fight, Air Force acquisition boss says

Despite disagreements with Boeing on pricing for the E-7A Wedgetail, Air Force acquisition chief Andrew Hunter said officials still see the radar plane “as a capability that makes sense and that we need to field in the near term.”  

Lawmakers press Army aviation leadership on FARA cancelation

Lawmakers press Army aviation leadership on FARA cancelation
Lawmakers press Army aviation leadership on FARA cancelation

UH-60M Blackhawks from Lockheed Martin Sikorsky and CH-47F Block II Chinooks from Boeing would have ended production in 2030 if the Army kept FARA going, a top service official testified.

US Navy inks $3.4B deal for 17 P-8s for Canada, Germany

US Navy inks $3.4B deal for 17 P-8s for Canada, Germany
US Navy inks $3.4B deal for 17 P-8s for Canada, Germany

The deal will see 14 new planes go to Canada and three to Germany.

Polish foreign minister warns Ukraine losses will be Speaker Johnson’s ‘responsibility’

Polish foreign minister warns Ukraine losses will be Speaker Johnson’s ‘responsibility’
Polish foreign minister warns Ukraine losses will be Speaker Johnson’s ‘responsibility’

The plea from Radosław Sikorski adds to a chorus of European officials who have grown concerned by Washington’s reluctance to approve the new funding and wider fears that Europe cannot sustain the war effort without American weapon supplies.

Take 2: Kratos aims for prime status on second CCA ‘increment’

Take 2: Kratos aims for prime status on second CCA ‘increment’
Take 2: Kratos aims for prime status on second CCA ‘increment’

“So there’s a sweet spot for where we can prime it and there’s a stretch area. … What I hope is you see the sweet spot increases and the stretch area is moving to higher” program sizes and complexities, Kratos’s Steve Fendley told Breaking Defense.

Air Force ‘having a hard time’ on E-7 Wedgetail price negotiations with Boeing: Kendall

Air Force ‘having a hard time’ on E-7 Wedgetail price negotiations with Boeing: Kendall
Air Force ‘having a hard time’ on E-7 Wedgetail price negotiations with Boeing: Kendall

Development of the Air Force’s first two rapid prototype radar planes proved more difficult than expected, according to acquisition chief Andrew Hunter.

Air Force plans CCA downselect within ‘months,’ second ‘increment’ in FY25: Kendall

Air Force plans CCA downselect within ‘months,’ second ‘increment’ in FY25: Kendall
Air Force plans CCA downselect within ‘months,’ second ‘increment’ in FY25: Kendall

International partners could join in on drone development for a next round of CCA work planned for the FY25 budget, according to Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall.

Despite huge industry losses, Air Force ‘not getting rid of fixed-price contracts’: Hunter

Despite huge industry losses, Air Force ‘not getting rid of fixed-price contracts’: Hunter
Despite huge industry losses, Air Force ‘not getting rid of fixed-price contracts’: Hunter

But a different acquisition strategy can help lower risks when fixed-price approaches are involved, the acquisition czar said.

Boeing’s T-7A trainer faces new delivery delay amid parts ‘challenges’

Boeing’s T-7A trainer faces new delivery delay amid parts ‘challenges’
Boeing’s T-7A trainer faces new delivery delay amid parts ‘challenges’

Another small schedule slip has postponed test jet deliveries to the Air Force, according to a Boeing spokesperson.