In
a pre-solicitation notice issued this week, Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, said it would release the final request for proposals in the KC-X tanker replacement program not earlier than Feb. 23. ASC also said the contract would call for four developmental aircraft and up to 175 production aircraft produced at an “anticipated” target rate of 15 per year, which likely means the Pentagon still expects to issue a single contract not the dual buy some lawmakers and defense analysts believe is the better way forward. Northrop Grumman officials still say the Northrop-EADS team will not participate unless there are significant changes to the RFP. Pentagon and Air Force leaders remain convinced that there’s no need for major revisions.
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.
