Rumsfeld Plays QDR Dodge Ball: The left hand and the right hand need to get together. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was playing dodge ’em with reporters over the QDR, while his henchmen were giving background interviews. But, Rumsfeld would not budge off his “wait till it’s released stance at the Jan. 25 Pentagon press briefing. Still, a persistent reporter tried—about eight times—to ask a question based on the latest draft, only to be treated to the full Rummy square dance. At one point, Rumsfeld asks, “Do you believe every draft you see?” The plucky—though possibly ill-advised reporter—replied: “The later ones I do, especially if they come off your desk.” Ouch.
Anduril and General Atomics will develop their Collaborative Combat Aircraft for the Air Force, beating out Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman, the service announced on April 24. But any of the non-selected companies can compete to actually manufacture the eventual design, the Air Force said.