Farnborough, UK Boeing officials said they are talking with European partners about a group-bought/group-shared fleet of V-22 tiltrotors. The idea would follow the lines of the C-17 Heavy Airlift Wing, based at Papa AB, Hungary, where 12 nations share three C-17 transports proportionately to their financial contribution to purchase and maintenance of the aircraft. Boeing officials said Germany might be the “anchor” purchaser, now looking at several heavy-lift helo options, including the CH-53K, but countries with less cash might throw in with Germany to have access to the aircraft.
Air Force leaders are directing unit commanders to conduct four “standards and readiness reviews” of their troops per year starting March 31, part of a recent push for new standards and enforcement.