PENTAGON CLEARS HURDLE IN BID FOR NEW SPY PLANES

WASHINGTON: The Pentagon’s chief arms buyer has approved the next step in a longawaited multi-billion US dollar competition to replace the Air Force’s ageing fleet of E-8 JStars spy and battle management planes.

Frank Kendall, undersecretary for acquisition, technology and logistics, last week signed a memorandum approving the start of the so-called Milestone A phase of the programme, Pentagon spokeswoman Maureen Schumann said. That reportedly paves the way for funding of demonstrations of the new aircraft.

Three teams are competing for the work: Northrop Grumman Corp, which built the existing planes and is teaming with General Dynamics Corp, Lockheed Martin Corp, which is working with Raytheon Co, and Canada’s Bombardier and Boeing Co.

Additional details about the memorandum were not immediately available, but a source familiar with the decision said the Pentagon’s fiscal 2017 budget request would include funding for the programme.

Representative Tom Graves, a Georgia Republican, welcomed the news, calling it a “significant step” toward replacing the ageing fleet with next-generation aircraft.

“I am confident that the Defence Department understands JStars is a major priority for Congress,” Mr Graves said.

A source familiar with the decision, who was not authorised to speak publicly, said the Pentagon had reviewed other options and ruled out the possibility of using unmanned aircraft.