Don’t expect great funding infusions or schedule acceleration in the Air Force’s long-range strike activities as a result of Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ plans to reduce aircraft carriers and submarines, Air Force Secretary Michael Donley told the Daily Report Thursday. Commenting on Gates’ speech to the Navy League on Monday (see “Blacker Saturday?” above), Donley said “I wouldn’t read the Navy speech as putting emphasis on long-range strike,” but as a simple recitation of the economic facts of life. He added, “We are all facing the prospect of more program than our budgets can sustain,” he said (see Internal Problem above)
Sticker Shock Drags Out USAF’s E-7 Negotiations with Boeing
April 18, 2024
While a deal on the E-7 Wedgetail airborne battle management jet may come soon, negotiations are stuck on the high price Boeing is asking for the development jets, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said recently.