Senior USAF officials say they have a green light to pursue an unmanned, intercontinental strike aircraft that will complement the existing fleet of bombers. The new aircraft will be built in small numbers, but will be fast, and keep the technological juices flowing in industry. There will not be an interim bomber, however. USAF has been considering an FB-22 to serve as a gap-filler while it works to field a new long-range strike platform.
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.