In the 1980s the Navy began a program to replace its aging fleet of A-6 medium attack aircraft with a new aircraft-the A-12-with stealth technology. In January 1988 the Navy awarded the team of General Dynamics and McDonnell Douglas Aerospace Corporation a $4.4 billion fixed-price incentive contract for the full-scale development phase of the program. It was envisioned that once the A-12 was developed for the Navy, the Air Force would develop a version of the plane-the Advanced Tactical Aircraft-to replace its F/B-111 and F-15E aircraft. In December 1989 the Secretary of Defense directed a Major Aircraft Review of four aircraft programs, including the A-12. As a result of this review's findings, the Secretary of Defense testified in April 1990 that the A-12's projected first flight would take place by early 1991 and that the full-scale development program would be completed within the original contract cost estimate.
Naval Aviation: Navy A-12 Aircraft Funding Status
1991
5 pages
Report
No indication
English
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