A USAF “pre-decisional” and undated information paper reveals that the Pentagon has directed the Army and Air Force to form a joint program office to merge efforts on the Future Cargo Aircraft and Light Cargo Aircraft programs. Was there ever a doubt? Gen. Michael Moseley, USAF Chief of Staff, said in December that the Air Force is “partnering with the Army” on this transport issue. The whole intratheather lift question is still up in the air. There is no word yet on the joint staff’s study or the one USAF asked Rand to conduct.
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.