: Northrop Grumman, Global Hawk supplier, has issued a response to recent criticism of the program coming from the Air Force (see Global Hawk Costs Under the Microscope, above). Regarding USAF concerns about repair turnaround times, company spokeswoman Cynthia Curiel said in a written statement that “several initiatives have been implemented” to improve the turnaround. Among them, Northrop’s sensor supplier, Raytheon, has increased work shifts to expedite repairs and will host a dedicated interim repair line to quicken the pace of field repairs, she noted. “In addition, government and contractor personnel are making repairs in theater when appropriate in order to return the [Global Hawks] to full operational use as quickly as possible,” said Curiel.
Due to the prolonged delay in deliveries of the Tech Refresh 3 version of the F-35 fighter, Denmark is pulling six of its TR-2-configured F-35 jets stationed in the U.S. back to home base in order to consolidate aircraft and get better training for its pilots and maintainers, the Danish…