The Long Range Strike platform won’t be a “lone wolf” able to perform all conceivable functions, Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz said Tuesday. When reporters pointed out that various Air Force and DOD leaders have spoken about the need for the aircraft to be able to perform electronic warfare, ISR, air battle management, etc, Schwartz’s terse reply was “not from me.” He added that in defining the airplane, “cost will be a very, very serious consideration,” and all efforts will be made to use available offboard sensors on other platforms rather than build every conceivable sensor onto the LRS. “We’re looking at something that is pretty tightly coupled to the requirements and … affordability considerations.”
The Air Force and Boeing agreed to a nearly $2.4 billion contract for a new lot of KC-46 aerial tankers on Nov. 21. The deal, announced by the Pentagon, is for 15 new aircraft in Lot 11 at a cost of $2.389 billion—some $159 million per tail.