A-10 Thunderbolt IIs taxi to a parking spot on the flight line at Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal, Oct. 9, 2014. The jets flew in as part of a coronet, which is the term the Air Force uses to describe the movement of jets coming in, refueling, and departing the island. (Air Force photo by SSgt. Zachary Wolf.) (Click on image above to reach wallpaper version.)
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.