The US Air Force has awarded Lockheed Martin $1.2 billion as part of a restructured F-22 Raptor engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) effort. The USAF says that the award is in response to recommendations from the Joint Estimate Team (JET), formed to guard against cost overruns in the advanced tactical fighter project. In February, the JET concluded that F-22 EMD would require more time and funding to reduce risk before it enters production.
Source: Flight International
The Pentagon is preparing to curtail the latest upgrade package for the fifth-generation F-35 stealth fighter, as lawmakers expressed frustration with an eight-month freeze in new aircraft deliveries related to certifying new control software.
The long-discussed deal was made official on 16 April, when Argentine defence minister Luis Petri signed an agreement with Copenhagen to acquire 24 of the fourth-generation F-16s, as Denmark transitions its fleet to the Lockheed Martin F-35A.
Contractor Omega Air Refueling Services for the first time topped off a US Air Force B-52 bomber and an MC-130J special-operations transport.
