Don’t expect a quick resolution to the Pentagon’s internal Long Range Strike discussions, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz told the Daily Report. Schwartz said the “debate is still raging” about the specific requirements such an aircraft will have, and he doesn’t expect resolution in the next few weeks. Air Force Secretary Michael Donley reiterated Monday that the aircraft will have roles in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and communications, besides strike. Lt. Gen. Christopher Miller, head of strategic plans and programs, said there are budgetary spaceholders for a LRS aircraft “same as last year,” but it remains budgetarily undefined. “We’re working it hard,” Miller said.
A legislative standoff has led to a lapse in a $4.26 billion small business innovation contracting program widely used by the Air Force and could spell the end of it entirely, industry sources warned Air & Space Forces Magazine.
