In an effort to save money, the Pentagon’s aircraft designers will build
all new bombers and fighters using a menu of standard components such
as engines and electrical systems, says US Defence Secretary Les Aspin.
‘Future Navy and Air Force aircraft may look different on the outside,’
Aspin said last week, but ‘they would be much the same on the inside’.
At present, each military aircraft is designed from scratch and shares
little in common with others. Aspin’s approach will allow each military
branch to pick and mix common components to produce planes attuned to their
needs.
