The Senate passed its version of the Fiscal 2010 defense authorization bill—sans more F-22s and sans F-35 alternate engine—late July 23, setting the stage next week for House and Senate authorizers to hash out differences between the version passed by the House last month. The Senate version would authorize $679.8 billion, just $4 billion shy of the Administration request. The House version, which still contains additional F-22 Raptors and the alternate engine for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, would authorize a total of $680.4 billion. Both policy bills include $130 billion to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
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.