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
Competitors Not Picked for CCA Look Forward to Increment 2
April 25, 2024
While none of the major aircraft contractors were selected to develop the Collaborative Combat Aircraft, all three say they are seeking further autonomous aircraft work for the Navy, foreign partners, or in the classified arena, and maybe future versions of the CCA itself.