Iraqi air force pilots could be taking to the air again before the end of the year as part of a U.S. effort to rapidly buy and field new surveillance aircraft to monitor some of the country's critical infrastructure. The Pentagon wants to acquire at least eight manned fixed-wing surveillance systems, although it has told industry representatives it may purchase as many as 16 aircraft. The first could be delivered to the Basra International Airport as early as August. The program's fast pace has raised concerns among some industry officials, but the U.S. Army, which is running the program for the Coalition Provisional Authority, is showing no signs of easing. "With the current hostilities in Iraq, it is imperative that we field this platform as soon as possible," service acquisition officials told potential bidders.
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