Morning Coffee 7-28-11
Navy test pilot Lt. Christopher Tabert takes to the sky July 27 in an F-35C test aircraft launched by a steam catapult for the first time. (US Navy photo)
A robust blend of news from Naval Air Station Patuxent River, NAVAIR, the Pentagon and beyond:
- Navy’s JSF makes first catapult launch.
- Click here for video of the launch.
- NAVMAR gets $73.9 million to develop Helios unmanned aircraft.
- Cash could run short if government defaults.
- Treasury, not DoD, would determine who does and doesn’t get paid.
- Australia won’t commit to JSF until Pentagon does risk assessment.
- China officially acknowledges carrier program.
- Two new carriers being built in Shanghai.
- Pentagon looks to reduce JSF subcontractor costs … and considers shuffling the jet’s production sequences.
- Marine JSF “pretty close” to ending probationary period. (subscription required)
- Shay Assad says JSF price to drop in fall negotiations with Lockheed and praises Navy’s E-2D negotiations. (subscription required)
- NAVAIR, Northrop fiercely defending troubled Fire Scout. (subscription required)
- VA cracks down on fraudulent “vet-owned” contractors.
- GI Bill tuition protection approved.
