The light attack armed reconnaissance program may also fall under the budget axe, senior Air Force officials told members of the House Armed Services tactical air and land forces panel Wednesday. The LAAR acquisition strategy, which has not yet been fully approved, is now on hold, said Maj. Gen. Jay Lindell, director of Global Power Programs in the Office of the Assistant Secretary (Acquisitions). “As our topline goes down, we are looking at all [programs],” said Lt. Gen. Herbert Carlisle, deputy chief of staff for operations, plans, and requirements, during the same panel hearing. “LAAR is no exception.”
The Air Force has embraced new technical approaches like open mission systems and rapid software updates for cutting-edge aircraft like the B-21 and Collaborative Combat Aircraft. Increasingly, though, the service is also working to apply these to its older, “legacy” aircraft, officials said this week.