The two contenders for the Army-Air Force Joint Cargo Aircraft program have submitted their final proposals. A Feb. 2 release from Team JCA—Raytheon and EADS CASA North America—notes that the C-295 military transport “has proven itself through ongoing operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and humanitarian missions worldwide.” A Feb. 2 release from L-3 Communications, which is partnered with Boeing, Alenia North America, and Global Military Aircraft Systems on the C-27 J, calls its entrant the “most robust, survivable, and combat-capable aircraft” in the running for the new medium-lift transport. (Remember the Lockheed Martin entrant, the C-130J, got the boot from the Army last year and lost its protest.) Army and Air Force officials will be evaluating the two aircraft over the next couple of months and expect to announce a selection in May.
The last remaining T-1 Jayhawk at JBSA-Randolph, Texas, took its final flight to the "Boneyard" at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., on July 15. The 99th Flying Training Squadron will train pilots using T-6 and simulator until it gets T-7 Red Hawk in fiscal 2026.