For some 60 years, the Air Force—because it possessed heavy bombers—has dominated conventional long-range strike, but that could change. The QDR report made it abundantly clear that the Pentagon would like to see the Navy enter the LRS arena. It has ordered a change of course in the Joint Unmanned Combat Air System (J-UCAS) program, the goal being the development of “an unmanned, longer-range, carrier-based aircraft capable of being air-refueled to provide greater standoff capability, to expand payload and launch options, and to increase naval reach and persistence.” Presumably, such systems could operate from either big deck carriers or submarines.
Space Force Adds Unit Tying Acquisition to Test and Training
Sept. 18, 2025
The Space Force has introduced a host of new and revamped deltas in recent months to tighten the ties between acquisition and operations. Now, a new unit is adding training to the mix.