The Senate Armed Services Committee voted Thursday to advance the nomination of Gen. John Hyten to lead US Strategic Command. Hyten’s approval was included in a group of 40 military nominations voted on by the committee. Next, Hyten’s nomination will be voted on by the full Senate. If confirmed, Hyten will replace Adm. Cecil Haney, who has held the position since November 2013. Hyten has served as commander of Air Force Space Command since August 2014.
The Air Force is launching an effort to develop a new stand-off missile with a range of 1,000 nautical miles, or 1,150 miles, that would eventually be used for both air-to-air and air-to-surface missions.