Boeing and Lockheed Martin made their teaming arrangement for the next increment of the Small Diameter Bomb program official Wednesday. Raytheon has announced its intent to compete for the small bomb prize. (DR, 09/30/05) There could be other interested parties, simply waiting for USAF to issue the Phase 2 request for proposal. It is due for release late this month. The actual competition would follow in the spring.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.