Air Force picks Anduril, General Atomics for next round of CCA work

Air Force picks Anduril, General Atomics for next round of CCA work
Air Force picks Anduril, General Atomics for next round of CCA work

The two vendors emerged successful from an original pool of five and are expected to carry their drone designs through a prototyping phase that will build and test aircraft.

Air Force RFI targets engine options for NGAS tankers

Air Force RFI targets engine options for NGAS tankers
Air Force RFI targets engine options for NGAS tankers

Responses will help shape analysis for the tanker program, known as the Next Generation Air refueling System.

Boeing’s KC-46A refueler, T-7A trainer face more delays

Boeing’s KC-46A refueler, T-7A trainer face more delays
Boeing’s KC-46A refueler, T-7A trainer face more delays

Air Force acquisition chief Andrew Hunter noted potential troubles ahead for the KC-46A and said T-7A production could start “a little later” than previously anticipated, but he remained confident about the way forward for the two aircraft.

Air Force halves MH-139A Grey Wolf helo buy in FY25 budget request

Air Force halves MH-139A Grey Wolf helo buy in FY25 budget request
Air Force halves MH-139A Grey Wolf helo buy in FY25 budget request

“It’s just about the overall budget of the Air Force and what we’re able to afford and what we’re not able to afford,” explained Air Force acquisition chief Andrew Hunter of the decision to cut the birds.

F-22s ‘highest priority’ for near-term fight, Air Force acquisition boss says

F-22s ‘highest priority’ for near-term fight, Air Force acquisition boss says
F-22s ‘highest priority’ for near-term fight, Air Force acquisition boss says

Despite disagreements with Boeing on pricing for the E-7A Wedgetail, Air Force acquisition chief Andrew Hunter said officials still see the radar plane “as a capability that makes sense and that we need to field in the near term.”  

Air Force ‘having a hard time’ on E-7 Wedgetail price negotiations with Boeing: Kendall

Air Force ‘having a hard time’ on E-7 Wedgetail price negotiations with Boeing: Kendall
Air Force ‘having a hard time’ on E-7 Wedgetail price negotiations with Boeing: Kendall

Development of the Air Force’s first two rapid prototype radar planes proved more difficult than expected, according to acquisition chief Andrew Hunter.

Despite huge industry losses, Air Force ‘not getting rid of fixed-price contracts’: Hunter

Despite huge industry losses, Air Force ‘not getting rid of fixed-price contracts’: Hunter
Despite huge industry losses, Air Force ‘not getting rid of fixed-price contracts’: Hunter

But a different acquisition strategy can help lower risks when fixed-price approaches are involved, the acquisition czar said.

EXCLUSIVE: 5 companies in early running for Air Force’s CCA drone wingmen

EXCLUSIVE: 5 companies in early running for Air Force’s CCA drone wingmen
EXCLUSIVE: 5 companies in early running for Air Force’s CCA drone wingmen

Boeing, General Atomics, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and startup Anduril are in play to field the Air Force’s collaborative combat aircraft, Breaking Defense has learned.

89 Department of Air Force new starts at risk unless Congress acts on budget: Official

89 Department of Air Force new starts at risk unless Congress acts on budget: Official
89 Department of Air Force new starts at risk unless Congress acts on budget: Official

Kristyn Jones, who is performing the duties of the under secretary of the Air Force, warned that modernization initiatives aimed at countering China would also be at risk if a budget impasse in Congress stretches on.

General Atomics exec eyes Williams, Pratt engines as company searches for CCA propulsion

General Atomics exec eyes Williams, Pratt engines as company searches for CCA propulsion
General Atomics exec eyes Williams, Pratt engines as company searches for CCA propulsion

David Alexander, president of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, told Breaking Defense several options could power the company’s Gambit drone offering, and that the Air Force has been more forthcoming with cost expectations behind closed doors.

LMXT exit: Lockheed to skip KC-135 recap race, focus on next gen tanker

LMXT exit: Lockheed to skip KC-135 recap race, focus on next gen tanker
LMXT exit: Lockheed to skip KC-135 recap race, focus on next gen tanker

The surprise withdrawal of the aerospace giant could give Boeing a leg up as the Air Force moves toward a contract award for a new fleet of refuelers, analysts told Breaking Defense.

New B-21 photos released, as engine runs begin

New B-21 photos released, as engine runs begin
New B-21 photos released, as engine runs begin

“We’re still hopeful of having first flight this year,” Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said. “If I were to say it will, I would be making a very specific prediction, and I never do that about an acquisition program for something that hasn’t happened yet.”

Air Force acquisition chief on tanker plans and negotiations with Boeing

Air Force acquisition chief on tanker plans and negotiations with Boeing
Air Force acquisition chief on tanker plans and negotiations with Boeing

“We just kind of need to get their no-kidding ground truth of, ‘this is what we think we can deliver and when we think we can deliver it,'” Andrew Hunter, the service’s acquisition chief, said in a Sept. 5 interview at the Pentagon. 

Space programs top priorities under CR; next-gen tanker also critical, Hunter says

Space programs top priorities under CR; next-gen tanker also critical, Hunter says
Space programs top priorities under CR; next-gen tanker also critical, Hunter says

Service officials hope that Congress will back Secretary Frank Kendall’s proposal to allow some new programs to begin early work, even if a continuing resolution is in place.