Renderings Offer New Glimpse of B-21 | Boeing Reports More KC-46 Losses

Feb. 3, 2020

Edited by Amy McCullough with Rachel S. Cohen, Brian W. Everstine and John A. Tirpak

Boeing Reports Another $148 Million in KC-46 Losses

By Brian W. Everstine

Boeing has incurred another $148 million in losses for its KC-46 tanker program due to higher than expected manufacturing costs, as the company works with the Air Force to address continued deficiencies in the tanker’s capabilities. The company disclosed the losses in a Jan. 31 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, stating that the “reach-forward losses” of $148 million follows $736 million last year, and $445 million the year before. Boeing has already absorbed more than $3 billion in losses on the fixed-price KC-46 contract. The same day as the SEC filing, the Pentagon’s Department of Operational Test and Evaluation released its 2019 annual report on the program, detailing the deficiencies still impacting the new tanker fleet.

Senior Space Force Official Named Among New Job Assignments

By Rachel S. Cohen

A career special operations pilot will become the second-highest officer at the Space Force's Space Operations Command, according to a slew of promotions and job changes announced Jan. 30. Col. Michael Conley, selected for promotion to brigadier general, comes to the Space Force after having run the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Fla., since 2018. He has flown several types of aircraft, including the UH-1N helicopter, the CV-22 tiltrotor, AC-130W gunship, and MC-130J refueling and airlift plane, and spent time in the Pentagon. Twenty-two other Air Force officers will get new jobs as well.

New Report: Air Force Academy Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office Still Struggling

By Amy McCullough

Reports of sexual assault at the Defense Department's three military academies rose 27 percent in the 2018-2019 academic year, despite a recent high-level call to action to eradicate the problem, according to a new Pentagon report. The report also found the U.S. Air Force Academy was still struggling to recover from the 2018 changeover of personnel after the school's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response office was found to be "derelict" in its duties.

Watchdog: Enemy Attacks in Afghanistan at Highest Level Since 2010

By Brian W. Everstine

Enemy attacks on U.S., coalition, and Afghan forces in the fourth quarter of 2019 reached the highest level since the U.S. government’s watchdog for the war began keeping track in 2010, resulting in increased air operations in the country. The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, in its quarterly report to Congress, states there were 8,204 effective enemy-initiated attacks—ones that resulted in casualties, the highest total since 2010’s tally of 7,685. As these attacks rose, the U.S. military increased its pace, setting a record for more bombs dropped and total strike sorties than any year since at least 2009, according to Air Forces Central Command.

Poland Signs $4.6 Billion F-35 Deal

By Brian W. Everstine

Poland's defense ministry on Jan. 31 finalized its $4.6 billion buy of 32 F-35As and 33 F135 engines, a move Polish President Andrzej Duda said will be a significant step toward strengthening the security of the country and the region. The deal, which was approved by the U.S. State Department in September, will also include eight mission simulators, logistic support, and the Autonomic Logistics Information System, according a Polish government statement. Delivery of the aircraft will begin in 2024 at a pace of four to six per year, and run through 2030.

Radar Sweep

Alleged Leader of Iraqi al Qaeda Group Arrested in Arizona

NBC News

A man accused of killing two police officers while acting as the leader of an al Qaeda group in the Iraqi city of Fallujah was arrested in Phoenix, Ariz., federal officials said Jan. 31. Ali Yousif Ahmed Al-Nouri, 42, is wanted in Iraq on charges of premeditated murder of the Iraqi police officers in 2006, according to a statement by the U.S. Attorney's Office District of Arizona. The statement did not provide information on when Al-Nouri entered the United States or how long he had lived in Phoenix.

Israel Aerospace Wins $240 Million U.S. Air Force Contract

Reuters

State-run Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) said on Feb. 2 it won a $240 million contract to manufacture wings for U.S. Air Force T-38 training aircraft. IAI said it has been producing the wings for the T-38s since 2011 and that the work will be performed in Israel.

Iraq Says Joint Operations with US-Led Coalition Resume

Associated Press

Joint military operations with the U.S.-led coalition to counter the Islamic State group have resumed after a nearly three-week pause, according to an Iraqi military statement.

Top Commander Sees Increased Iran Threat in Afghanistan

Associated Press

There has been an increase in Iranian activity in Afghanistan that poses a risk to American and coalition troops there, a senior U.S. commander said, as the threat from Tehran continues to churn across the Middle East.

New Air Force Technology Aims to Stop Nuclear Attacks Faster

Fox News

The Air Force and industry are taking new technical steps to quickly alert commanders in the event that the U.S. comes under nuclear attack, by increasing the time window with which decision-makers have to both defend and potentially retaliate. This includes using emerging software and hardware technologies and new architecture to, among other things, migrate time-sensitive targeting data to the cloud, increase network resiliency and better connect space, air and ground nodes into a fast, seamless integrated threat analysis system.

Coronavirus Case Suspected in Djibouti, Where U.S. and China Base Troops

Military.com

The commander of U.S. forces in Africa said Jan. 30 that a suspected coronavirus case has turned up in the tiny East African state of Djibouti, where the U.S. and China maintain bases about seven miles apart.

As California Preps for More ‘Horizontal Hurricanes,’ Air Force Gathers Intel Over Pacific

Sacramento Bee

Storms dubbed “atmospheric rivers” have killed dozens of Californians, inflicted billions of dollars in damage, and three years ago forced the evacuation of 200,000 people. Yet forecasters don’t know nearly as much as they’d like about these “horizontal hurricanes.” On Jan. 28, high above the Pacific Ocean, two U.S. Air Force Reserve “Hurricane Hunter” crews in a pair of WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft were trying to change that, as part of a years-long research project to improve atmospheric river forecasting.

One More Thing

Meet the World War II Veterans Who Participated in the Super Bowl LIV Coin Toss

Richmond’s The Fan radio

Brig. Gen. Charles McGee, First Lt. Samuel Lombardo, Staff Sgt. Odon S. Cardenas, and Cpl. Sidney Walton will participate in the coin toss at Super Bowl LIV before the Kansas City Chiefs square off against the San Francisco 49ers. “Kansas City, I’m going for the Chiefs,” said McGee, a famed Tuskegee Airman who flew 409 combat missions through three wars. He was recently honorarily promoted to a one-star general. “I hope for a good game, good referees. One of them is going to be declared a winner.”