It hasn’t been very long since the Pentagon and the Guard came to blows over closure of ANG bases and realignment of ANG flying units. Now, say Guard sympathizers, the Pentagon is failing to consult with Guard officials on upcoming force cuts. A recent NGAUS statement noted there are “continuing media reports of imminent troop cuts” and yet “no official Pentagon disclosure of details.” Koper complained: “It is most unfortunate that these proposals appear to be in progress without participation by the National Guard Bureau, the statutory line of communication between the Department of Defense … and the respective states.” Koper’s letter invited Congress—which is politically congenial to the Guard—to step in.
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.