The U.S. Air Force has made an initial award of $15.8 million to seven companies to provide advanced adversary air and close air support threat services under a contract with a maximum value of $6.5 billion over five years.

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter full-rate production decision, which is slated for December, may be put off for up to 13 months because of delays with integrating the Joint Simulation Environment (JSE).

The U.S. Army says its biggest challenge in addressing the global pilot shortage is retaining pilots who are mid-career level warrant officers.