The first iteration of the Air Force’s next bomber-like aircraft will be oriented toward conventional warfare, top Air Force leaders said Monday. Air Force Secretary Michael Donley, addressing the Air Force Association’s Air & Space Conference, said, “This time around … we are approaching long range strike capabilities mainly through conventional perspectives, where they are most likely to be used.” Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz told the Daily Report immediately after Donley’s speech that the aircraft won’t have all the electromagnetic hardening necessary for nuclear strike, but will have “many of the basic electronics and subsystems” that a later nuclear version of the system could make use of. Donley said the Air Force will try to avoid previous failed attempts at bombers which had “narrowly focused capabilities, high risk technologies, and high costs contributing to affordability problems leading to program cancellations and low inventories.” He also said it’s “critical” that USAF have aircraft that can “range the planet.”
Navy CCA Program’s Shape Coming into Focus
Oct. 17, 2025
In announcing its Navy Collaborative Combat Aircraft contract, General Atomics has provided some clues as to where the service is heading with its version of an armed, autonomous fighter escort. It will likely be quite different from the Air Force version.
