The recent decision to move the in-service date for a next-generation bomber to 2018, announced in the QDR, is a good thing, Blechman added. The change creates motivation simply did not exist when the target date for a new system was the seemingly arbitrary 2038. The drawback of acceleration, he noted, is that advanced capabilities such as hypersonics will probably not be realistic options for this next-generation bomber.
Amid NATO’s continued push to ramp up air defenses in Eastern Europe, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall swung by seven allied countries to boost relations last week, including those on Russia’s and Ukraine’s doorstep.