Ahead of the Bell: Air Force hearing

The Senate Armed Services Committee will consider the nominations of Michael Donley for Air Force secretary and Gen. Norton A. Schwartz as chief of staff in a hearing slated to begin at 9:30 a.m. EDT. The pair would replace former Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Michael Moseley and Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne, who were fired in June after a series of mix-ups involving nuclear weapons.

The Air Force shake-up, only about six months before the Bush administration leaves office, comes with several big decisions looming for the service.

The Pentagon is preparing to rebid the $35 billion contract to replace aerial refueling tankers after the Government Accountability Office detailed numerous problems with the Air Force's contract award earlier this year. The GAO found the Air Force committed errors while choosing a team of Northrop Grumman Corp. and Airbus parent European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. over a bid by Boeing Co.

Some analysts have warned that the changes in leadership will only push back the schedule on the plane, which is needed to replace the Air Force's aging fleet of tankers. The service had hoped to field the planes by 2013.

Also in doubt is whether any more of the technologically advanced but expensive F-22 fighter jets will be built. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has said the 183 planes already planned should suffice, but the Air Force has pushed for more of the jets that cost roughly $160 million each.

Lockheed Martin Corp., which makes the F-22, said recently that it expected any final decision on whether to make more than 183 F-22s won't be made until a new administration takes office in January.