If all goes as planned, USAF will award the CSAR-X contract in early September, according to Daniel Spoor, Lockheed Martin’s CSAR-X program vice president. Speaking at a media event at Lockheed’s Center for Innovation in Suffolk, Va., on May 31, Spoor told reporters that Lockheed plans to submit its US101 aircraft proposal to the Air Force on June 19 and expects to receive a revision at the end of July. USAF’s schedule calls for the source selection process to conclude in August. The contract award process slowed earlier this year when USAF revised its guidelines, opting to ask for more capability earlier.
Air Force F-16 pilot Lt. Col. Eric R. Emerson, who commanded a small quick reaction force of fighters responding to Iranian-backed militia groups in 2024, became the first Air National Guardsman presented with the Anthony C. Shine Award on Feb. 10.

