The Air Force has put no funds in its 2008 defense budget proposal or the outyears for the nuclear air-launched Advanced Cruise Missile, leading analysts to believe its headed into retirement—very much sooner than anticipated. The stealthy ACM, which can be carried aboard the B-52 bomber, reached initial operational capability around 1991 and had been the subject of modifications to extend its service life to 2030. Robert Burns of the Associated Press got a confirmation from the Air Force that the service has decided to retire the missile but received no explanation on the service’s rationale. Could we speculate there are more urgent priorities as the Air Force tries to stay within its funding topline
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control received a $122.6 million installment on an ongoing contract to improve production of the AGM-158 JASSM/LRASM stealth missiles, the Pentagon announced March 14. The weapons have become the key standoff munitions for USAF’s combat air forces.