That is the sentiment expressed by Rep. Norman Dicks (D-Wash.) during a pep rally at the Boeing 767 plant in Everett, Wash., where Boeing would produce the airframes should it win the KC-X tanker replacement program contract. Dicks and other lawmakers on hand at the event favor the Boeing entrant in the competition over the Northrop Grumman-EADS aircraft that would be produced in Alabama. Roxana Tiron of The Hill newspaper reports that Dicks said that spreading the program over the next 40 years (see above) is “ridiculous.” We’re certain the Air Force would agree if it could find the money to move faster.
Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, nominee to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Defense Department needs to upgrade its electronic warfare capability and its EW training ranges; just as his predecessor said at his own confirmation hearing.