Horizon Cutting-room Links: Friday, 31 January 2025

"Which Federal Programs Are Under Scrutiny? The Budget Office Named 2,600 of Them," Upshot, New York Times

"A list of all those programs, identified by the Office of Management and Budget for examination to ensure they do not “advance Marxist equity, transgenderism and Green New Deal social engineering policies.” Agencies were asked to answer questions about each budget line, including “Does this program promote gender ideology?”

"Full F-35 upgrade package might not happen this year, Lockheed says," Defense One

"The upgrade, formally called Technology Refresh-3, was originally supposed to be ready in April 2023, but software-development problems have delayed the effort multiple times. Those delays drove the Pentagon to halt acceptance of new F-35s for a year, a pause that ended in July. The upgrade will equip the jets with the extra computing power needed for Block 4 improvements to sensors and weapons. Lockheed still has work to do on TR-3 related to 'mission system integration' and  'improving system stability overall.'"

"Lockheed delivered 110 jets in 2024, including new jets off the production line and previously parked TR-3 jets. This year, the company expects to deliver 170 to 190 jets—again, more than it builds. ... Lockheed also expects that a definitized contract for next production lot of F-35s, lot 18, will come in the first half of this year"

"Spirit Airlines rejects Frontier's bid, aims to exit bankruptcy in first quarter," Reuters

"Analysts have said a successful merger with Frontier could establish a nationwide discount airline more capable of attracting price-sensitive passengers. ... But Spirit rejected the proposal as it would not provide the anticipated shareholder value and raised concerns over the timing and successful completion of the deal."

"Boom’s supersonic test plane breaks the sound barrier for the first time," the Verge

"Today’s flight is not only the first time Boom’s demonstrator aircraft broke the speed of sound but also the first time a civil aircraft has gone supersonic. The Concorde was built as a joint venture between the governments of the UK and France, not a private company."

"The 63-foot-long plane is powered by three General Electric J85-15 turbojet engines, but the company plans to develop and build the four engines needed to power the larger Overture airliner on its own after Boom’s partnership with Rolls-Royce ended in 2022."

"FAA Blesses Manassas (MNZ) 5 Gate Plan," Enilria

"The FAA conditionally approved the plan for a 5 gate terminal area for Manassas (MNZ) which is located 16 air miles from Washington IAD. ... The Master Plan includes 5 mainline sized aircraft parking positions at the terminal as well as RON parking for 3 more."