A Senate move to keep open the Boeing C-17 production line gained strong support. Sen. Jim Talent (R-Mo.) and Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.) introduced legislation as part of the authorization debate. Under its terms, the Air Force would get authority to purchase up to 42 additional C-17s. The hurry-up measure followed a recent briefing in which Pentagon officials revealed they would cut off buys of the new airlifter after 180. (DR, 11/07/05)
The U.S. Air Force is working on a test program with Japan to establish a joint maintenance center that will perform repairs on aircraft operated by both nations—creating a “deterrent effect that will make adversaries think twice,” a top general said.