3 billion-dollar programs of the US Air Force in 2018

Joint Target Attack Surveillance Radar System (JSTARS)

The Air Force's JSTARS E-8C aircraft program, which is capable of ground surveillance, targeting and control of information around the combat area, will be re-funded. This means that the aircraft, along with a new radar system, will be selected for the US Air Force.

Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman have all submitted to the US Department of Defense a restructuring program for the JSTARS project, worth about $7 billion.

E-8C Joint Stars Aircraft

Meanwhile, Northrop and Raytheon are also competing fiercely to become the manufacturer of integrated radar for the new aircraft.

However, the US Air Force leadership is questioning the effectiveness of performing command and control missions on the battlefield in the future, so the Air Force is considering whether to cancel the JSTARS program until a more advanced solution is developed.

But the refinancing cancellation is problematic, as Congress approved a $400 million budget for the project in 2018.

ProgrammeOA-X light attack aircraft

The Pentagon is still evaluating results from test flights at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, this summer.

The four aircraft designs participating in the test included: the A-29 from Sierra Nevada and Embraer; the Longsword AT-802L from L3 and Air Tractor; and the AT-6 Wolverine and Scorpion, both from Textron.

AT-6 light attack aircraft

OA-X also received about $400 million this year. Some leaders on Capitol Hill said the program would continue beyond the testing phase.

Meanwhile, the US Air Force plans to send two or more OA-X aircraft to the Middle East for exercises next year.

TX Training Aircraft Program

Last October, Matt Donovan, a representative of the US Air Force, said that he hoped the contract to provide aircraft for the TX program would be signed next March.

Lockheed Martin, Boeing and Leonardo DRS are competing for the contract to provide trainer aircraft for the TX program. The contract is worth about $2 billion over five years.

Wilson further confirmed that the delay in selecting a contractor will not delay the production schedule of the new trainer before the end of fiscal year 2018.