Horizon cutting-room links: Wednesday, 24 September 2025

"GSA Walks Back Mass Layoffs of Its Federal Buildings Workforce," Federal News Network

GSA reinstated nearly 400 employees previously laid off from its Public Buildings Service (PBS) following earlier reduction-in-force notices.

• GSA is offering laidoff PBS employees the option to return to their positions by 6 October 2025, after rescinding their reduction-in-force notices, which were initially issued this year.
• The decision to reinstate employees comes in light of an agency reorganization that was put on hold earlier this summer due to leadership changes within GSA.
• PBS leadership indicated that while no additional layoffs are currently planned, restructuring efforts may still result in involuntary separations in the future as the agency continues to adapt to its operational needs.

"Allvin: First F-47 Sixth-Gen Fighter Already Being Built, Expected to Fly in 2028," Air & Space Forces Magazine

The development of the F-47 sixth-generation fighter is underway, with the first airframe already in production and a projected first flight in 2028. This ambitious timeline reflects a commitment to maintaining air dominance amid evolving global threats, particularly focusing on countering advanced capabilities from nations including China.

• The F-47 fighter's initial airframe is currently being manufactured, with a target for its first flight set for 2028, as announced by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin during the AFA’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference on 22 September 2025.
• The aircraft is designed to have a combat radius exceeding 1,000 miles, nearly double that of the F-22, and the Air Force plans to acquire over 185 units to enhance operational capabilities.
• Allvin highlighted the necessity for rapid modernization, including the development of semi-autonomous collaborative combat aircraft to work alongside the F-47 and ongoing projects like the B-21 Raider stealth bomber.

"Meet ‘Vectis’: Lockheed Skunk Works Unveils CCA-Like Fighter Escort Platform," Air & Space Forces Magazine

Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works has introduced “Vectis,” an autonomous drone designed to complement crewed Air Force and Navy combat aircraft.

• Vectis, a Group 5 unmanned aerial system, is engineered to operate effectively alongside fifth-generation fighters. Although it won't achieve supersonic speeds, it will maintain pace with advanced aircraft like the F-22 and F-35.
• The Vectis platform is built to ensure interoperability across various military branches, aligning with DOD's reference architectures for autonomy and mission systems, thereby enhancing collaborative operations.
• Designed for high reliability and ease of maintenance, Vectis aims to support the Air Force’s agile combat employment model, allowing for operation from diverse and austere locations while being customizable for specific mission needs.