Here are the programs that made the biggest news over the past week:
KC-46 approaches critical test — Boeing is approaching a critical KC-46 flight test at the end of the year that will cause big problems for the program if it doesn’t hit the milestone,
we reported last week. Boeing will need to fly a 767-2C configuration airplane by the end of this year if it wants the Federal Aviation Administration to certify the airframe, a key parameter for the program if the company wants the KC-46 to be provisioned as an aerial refueling tanker. U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) chief Air Force Gen. Paul Selva told reporters recently that Boeing has informed the Pentagon the company will get it done, to which Selva replied, “I look at my watch and say ‘tick, tock.'” Read more KC-46 analysis >>>
Authorizers: Hold off on transferring Apaches — The Army’s very unpopular plan — at least within the National Guard — to transfer AH-64 Apache attack helicopters from reserve to active duty in exchange for UH-60 Black Hawks has been put on hold by the compromise defense authorization bill, which was finalized last week. The bill would only allow the Army to move 48 AH-64 Apaches from the National Guard, versus the service’s plan to move all 192, according to the Washington Times. The National Guard had fought the issue after the Army announced its decision earlier this year, arguing the move would rob them of an attack helo capability, but the service said it needed to make the move to consolidate the helicopter fleet and save money. Read more AH-64 analysis >>> | Read more UH-60 analysis >>>
Pentagon eyes GPS OCX program after big cost jump — A cost spike of 80 percent is prompting the Pentagon to take a closer look at Raytheon’s work on the new ground control system for GPS satellites after an Air Force restructuring, according to a Reuters report. The current contract for the GPS Operational Control System (OCX) skyrocketed to $1.6 billion, up from an initial value of $886 million, causing Pentagon acquisition chief Frank Kendall to pledge a “deep dive” review that will start early next year. The contract was originally awarded in February 2010, and since then the program has hit technical challenges and cost increases, prompting a restructuring this summer. Read more GPS analysis >>>
LCS-3 arrives in Singapore — The third Littoral Combat Ship has arrived in Singapore for a 16-month rotational deployment in support of the Asia-Pacific rebalance, according to MarineLink. The deployment of the Fort Worth comes after a 10-month deployment by its sister ship, the Freedom (LCS-1), which operated in the region from March to December 2013. Vice Adm. Robert Thomas, commander of U.S. 7th Fleet, said the LCS would be a “workhorse” for the fleet, operating in littorals around the region and working with allies and partners. The Fort Worth left its San Diego port back in mid-November. Read more LCS analysis >>>