U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Rey White launches an F-35B Lightning II from the USS Essex before the F-35B's first combat strike, Sept. 27, 2018. Marine Corps via Getty Images / Cpl. Francisco J. Diaz Jr.
The Air & Space Brief: F-35 production, post-COVID; Air Force One, late; Over the Horizon, explained...
Hello and welcome to Defense One’s Air Force and Space Force newsletter, a weekly look at the events and headlines shaping military aviation and aerospace policy.
Lockheed Martin says it’s returning to “more of a normal operation” after a year of COVID-19-induced delays and closure on its F-35 Joint Strike Fighter line, the company’s vice president told Defense One. The company plans to deliver between 135 and 139 of the jets in 2021.
Air Force One replacement aircraft will likely be a year late, and will no longer make their 2024 deadline for delivery, the Air Force said this week. Boeing had previously announced the program would be delayed but had not revealed a timeframe. This follows news from the Air Force last week that it was scrapping a plan to produce new Air Force Twos to replace the current fleet of 757s.
Post-Afghanistan effort: The “over the horizon” strike capabilities the United States will depend on to defend its interests in Afghanistan as troops withdraw will come from existing bases in the region, at least for now, acting Air Force Secretary John Roth said. The estimated cost to maintain aircraft and personnel at regional bases and conduct the over-the-horizon views for 2022 is estimated at $10 billion.
Russian rocket reliance: GAO has found that development challenges in United Launch Alliance’s new Vulcan rocket could prevent the Defense Department from ending its reliance on the Russian-made RD-180 rocket engine by 2022 as required by Congress, Space News reported.
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From Defense One
For Now, ‘Over the Horizon’ Protection for Afghanistan Will Fly From Existing Hubs, Acting Air Force Secretary Says // Tara Copp: Service wants $10 billion for South Asia and Middle East operations as Pentagon develops long-term plan for Afghanistan support.
New Air Force One Could Be Delayed Another Year // Marcus Weisgerber: The GAO’s latest cost estimate brings the price tag to $2.6 billion apiece.
Digital Engineering Could Speed Wartime Arms Production // Marcus Weisgerber: It could also allow contractors to build and modernize weapons they did not create.