1915: After the first day, 2 major themes to the show are JSF and KC-X. The surprise: both stories are shaped by public feuding between DOD and Boeing.
1908:
Only at Farnborough can a
reporter get a ride back from the show with the head
of aviation for the USMC, LTG
Troutman. Nice guy.
1527: F-22 display was dazzling.
Most thrilling aerial display I've ever seen. Nice to see a new fighter at
Farnbro anyway. Show over. Back to work!
1525: I talked to my Russian friend Vlad. He has talked to Su-35 pilots. They think F-22 strengths can be limited, but not overcome, Vlad said.
1518: ironically, I am watching F-22 display standing next to Sukhoi chalet. Like everyone else they are transfixed!
1515: F-22 is up!
1503: Eurofighter just took off!
1440: Thank goodness for free snacks at Boeing media center. No time for breakfast or lunch!
1352: Fraser adds: "We're told we enjoy great support from Navy."
1351: Waiting over! Fraser admits "affordability issue", but he expects program to be funded in 2010 budget.
1348: Fraser is giving a program brief. I want to know if USN is going to kill UCAS-D, but must wait for Q&A.
1346: NG's Fraser: hardest objective for UCAS-D is catapult launch, not arrested landing.
1339: Just over 1 more hour to F-22 flying display!!!
1338: Now at Northrop Grumman pavilion for UAS brief. Gene Fraser, VP, is speaking. Want UCAS-D update.
1229: Lawson: F-22 yesterdar completed 1st supersonic release of 250lb small diameter bomb.
1221: Lawson says USAF plans 22K flt hrs for F-22 in 08. Seems low. If roughly 100 a/c delivered, then fewer than 210 hrs per.
1206: At Lockheed brief on F-22 now. Larry Lawson, program manager, is speaking.
1144: Albaugh replies: won't speculate on new req's until he sees the RFP.
1142: I asked Albaugh: if extra credit is awarded for exceeding fuel threshold, can Boeing compete?
1133: Albaugh: On 777 tanker possibility, won't rule out but "we'd be challenged on time".
1128: Lockhart: past performance has likely improved since USAF last checked.
1125: Lockhart: "We don't see a need for a bigger aircraft."
1123: John Lockhard, Boeing exec, is speaking about tanker: "Do not expect requirement to change." USAF schedule is "sporty".
1118: Albaugh: Dave Bowman has replaced Mark McGraw as tanker program manager. Bowman comes from C-17.
1115: Listening now to Jim Albaugh, president of Boeing IDS. Waiting for him to day the T-word.
1114:
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