The Air Force, said Lt. Col. Tim Healy, air staff special aircraft requirements deputy division chief, is looking at options for a new light cargo-medium transport aircraft. He told reporters that USAF has completed an initial capabilities document that identifies a capability gap in the ability to do intra-theater airlift into “austere” locations. USAF has tagged RAND to conduct a capabilities-based assessment, said Healy. No timeline was given. Healy noted, though, “We want to do this smart and not waste money.”
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.
