The Senate Armed Services Committee voted Thursday to advance the nomination of Gen. John Hyten to lead US Strategic Command. Hyten’s approval was included in a group of 40 military nominations voted on by the committee. Next, Hyten’s nomination will be voted on by the full Senate. If confirmed, Hyten will replace Adm. Cecil Haney, who has held the position since November 2013. Hyten has served as commander of Air Force Space Command since August 2014.
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.