Long-time B-2 bomber advocate that he is, Dicks told the forum audience that a “huge disparity” has emerged between investment in bombers as opposed to fighter aircraft. He said, “I couldn’t find anyone in the Pentagon who would support the idea of more B-2s.” One possible reason for this, Dicks opined, is that since the stand-down of the Air Force’s Strategic Air Command, a leading advocate for the importance of a well-maintained bomber fleet was lost.
Boeing received a $2.47 billion Air Force contract Nov. 25 for 15 more KC-46s, bringing to 183 the number of Pegasus tankers on contract to all customers, foreign and domestic. The new contract—for Lot 12 of the initially planned KC-46 buy—is to be completed by 2029.
