WASHINGTON — A top Air Force officer has been tapped for a new role managing the service’s next-gen bomber, fighter and ICBM programs, confirming news first reported by Breaking Defense in August.
Lt. Gen. Dale White was nominated for a fourth star yesterday, lining him up for the role of direct reporting portfolio manager (DRPM) for Critical Major Weapons Systems. White will report directly to Deputy Defense Secretary Steven Feinberg. Aviation Week was first to report White’s formal nomination.
In a statement, the Air Force said that White, who is currently the the Air Force’s military deputy for acquisition, will have oversight of the “LGM-35A Sentinel Intercontinental Ballistic Missile systems, Minuteman III ICBM systems, B-21 Family of Systems, F-47 Family of Systems, and VC-25B Presidential Airlift,” the latter of which is known as Air Force One when the president is aboard.
“The DRPM will be assisted by a small, highly specialized staff resident in the Pentagon, with the current acquisition workforce supporting the DRPM critical major weapons systems programs to remain in place,” the service said, adding that the new job will be stood up “over the next few months.”
Part of the timing on that will depend on the Senate, which will have to confirm White. There are limited working days before the year ends, and Congress has to figure out not just the National Defense Authorization Act, but how to keep the government open after Jan. 30.
It’s unclear if the Navy will also be moving ahead with a DRPM role. Breaking Defense previously reported that a similar role was being considered to focus on submarine programs.