Boeing, Northrop Grumman, General Atomics and Anduril are all in line to produce conceptual designs for the Navy’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, according to a Navy slide reviewed by Breaking Defense.
“The strength we think we bring is that [the Navy is] going to go from contract to actually starting to turn out students much quicker than any other competitors," a Textron executive told Breaking Defense.
The jet-powered transport’s speed, survivability and multi-mission agility position it as a viable option to the C-130 for the US and NATO allies.
Marine Corps and Air Force leaders have also said they are now relying on other aircraft to fill the gap the V-22 Osprey grounding has left.
Both the Navy and Air Force have struggled for years to combat physiological episodes, potentially deadly emergencies.
With time and money both running short, fielding a force to deter Chinese aggression will require a new approach to naval aviation. writes Bryan Clark and Timothy A. Walton.
The Navy's top officer hit industry on Monday for lobbying for "aircraft we don't need."
It’s about improving existing platforms with autonomy, and applying AI, edge computing, quantum encryption, and sensor fusion.
As old programs go, the Corps is looking at new cyber capabilities and getting back into the air defense game.