The 2007 defense authorization bill confirms Congressional desire to keep a second engine program going for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, despite Pentagon objections. The authorization act requires DOD to keep two engines in development and procurement and to provide three separate and independent cost analyses of the JSF engine program. The measure slows somewhat advance procurement, citing program delays and concern over too rapid development. (The companion spending bill funds the alternate engine and advance procurement for 12 JSFs.)
Members of the Air Force Reserve’s 920th Rescue Wing helped save 11 airplane crash survivors off the coast of Florida on May 12. The Reserve Airmen were flying an HC-130J Combat King II and an HH-60W Jolly Green II on a routine training flight when a Coast Guard call diverted…