Orlando, February 18, 2010—In a run-up to the Quadrennial Defense Review, the Air Force and Navy discussed future “air-sea concepts” and will jointly pursue capabilities applicable to both, Air Force Secretary Michael Donley said during AFA’s Air Warfare Symposium. One will be a standoff missile that will replace the AGM-86 on the B-52 and have “applicability to … sea-based” operations as well, Donley said. However, “discussions” continue with the Navy as to how fast the missile should be, and some of its other characteristics.
The Air Force tanker fleet “did not meet” its availability and mission capable rate goals from fiscal 2019 to 2025, in large part because of parts shortages and delays fielding the KC-46 refueler, according to a Government Accountability Office report released June 10.