James Bell, Boeing’s chief financial officer, recently cast doubt on whether the Boeing 767 will be the company’s entrant in the anticipated tanker replacement competition. He said this not because it couldn’t do the job, but because he thinks it’s possible the Pentagon may change the requirements. Bell told the Seattle Times that he would expect the company’s 767 to win a tanker competition if the specifications remain fairly true to USAF’s previously identified criteria. If not, he said, “we will respond with a different platform.” He did not disclose what that might be.
The Air Force wants more companies able to produce its new, multi-use, anti-radar missile that one expert says will prove vital in any future peer conflict and would be in high demand for the war in Iran if stocks were available now.