New CSAR-X Amendment Issued

New CSAR-X Amendment Issued: The Air For

ce released the newest update to its CSAR-X solicitation, amendment 7, on Dec. 5. In a statement issued that same day, the service said the amendment contains “minor changes” that are meant “to further clarify” how it will choose the winning helicopter design to replace its aging HH-60G Pave Hawks. But there is no target date given for when the decision will be made next year. And, an Air Force spokesman confirmed to the Daily Report yesterday that “no date has been established,” when asked for more specific information. The amendment does reflect an additional slip of roughly six months to the projected start of operations of the first CSAR-X squadron. Whereas this past summer, Air Force officials were still hoping to start operations of the first unit as well as the CSAR-X training squadron between the first quarter of Fiscal 2013 and the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2014, the service is now speaking of the window between the third quarter of Fiscal 2013 and the second quarter of Fiscal 2015. (Remember, before the two rounds of successful legal protests by Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky after the Air Force crowned Boeing’s HH-47 the winner in November 2006, the Air Force planned to field the first unit before the end of Fiscal 2012.) Prior to late October, the Air Force had been saying publicly that it expected to award the CSAR-X contract before the end of 2008. But then it subsequently gave notice of its intent to issue the new amendment, and said at the time that this process would cause a “minor delay” to the program. The Air Force plans to buy 141 CSAR-X helicopters under work that could be worth up to $15 billion to the winning contractor.

12/9/2008

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Appreciative Host
"I know you're here during a difficult time. You're here through Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. I promise you, we will find turkeys."
—Republic of Lithuania Chief of Defence Maj. Gen. Arvydas Pocius, expressing his thanks to airmen of the 493rd Fighter Squadron from RAF Lakenheath, Britain, who on Sept. 1, 2010, began a four-month stint with their F-15s in Lithuania to protect the airspace of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania under NATO's Baltic air policing mission.

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Family Momentum
"In many ways, this was what the Year of the Air Force Family was all about—connecting airmen and their families with the resources they need. I have confidence the Air Force will capitalize on this strong momentum in the years ahead by continuing to improve our family support programs and ensuring people know what resources are available."
—Suzie Schwartz, wife of USAF Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, commenting on the accomplishments of the Year of the Air Force Family initiative that concluded in July, in a statement provided to the Daily Report, Aug. 22, 2010.