Air Force Secretary Michael Donley said Wednesday it’s still too early for the Pentagon to act on the World Trade Organization’s March ruling against European aircraft maker Airbus as it relates to the KC-X tanker competition. His words came the day before Kansas lawmakers introduced the Fair Defense Competition Act, which would compel the Defense Department to factor WTO rulings when it acquires new weapon systems. Testifying Wednesday before Senate defense appropriators, Donley also said there’s a lot of factors for the US to consider regarding KC-X, but also more broadly, once the WTO process is complete. “Both of the offerors involved here [Boeing and EADS] are international companies, so we need to think through very carefully as a nation how we operate in the WTO and in the international marketplace with respect to … imports and exports and goods and services provided,” he said. (Prepared remarks)
Air Force Changes Rules for Pregnant Aircrew—Again
April 3, 2025
The Air Force is changing its policy for pregnant aircrew, generally reverting to rules set in 2019 that barred female aviators from flying during the first trimester—or from flying in aircraft with ejection seats at all—due to potential risks to the pilot and her unborn fetus.