USAF Chief De-emphasizes 2018 For Bomber

Amy Butler/Orlando, Fla. abutler@aviationweek.com

The chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force, Gen. Norton Schwartz, says he is more focused on maintaining cost and schedule discipline for a future stealthy bomber than on fielding it by 2018, as demanded by others in the Pentagon.

The Defense Department has been focused on fielding a system that incorporates long-range with highly rigorous stealth attributes by 2018 since the release of the last Quadrennial Defense Review. Driving the program is concern over the proliferation of advanced, integrated air defenses and too few B-2s to execute multiple war campaigns at once.

However, the financial crisis and fiscal pressures stemming from the high cost of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan have prompted a review of all Pentagon programs. President Barack Obama is expected to release detailed budget plans by April, and changes to the bomber program could come soon.

"There is a need, I think, for a penetrating platform that can surveil and strike and so on and that is multi-mission," Schwartz told a group of reporters here last week during the Air Force Association's annual conference. "That is a valid need in my view."

Timing, however, could be what changes. Northrop Grumman is expected to lead one team, while Lockheed Martin and Boeing joined forces last year for a rival bid in anticipation of a formal program beginning. But no official effort has begun - although many observers suggest technology maturation work is taking place in classified programs.

"We need not to emphasize timing so much," Schwartz said. "Whether it is 2018 or not - I think - is less important to me than having a viable, manageable program, which will actually deliver."

During the same talk, Air Force Secretary Michael Donley said the bomber is being explored as part of the Nuclear Posture Review.

The U.S. Strategic Command chief, USAF Gen. Kevin Chilton, who oversees employment of nuclear forces, says he wants for the new bomber to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons. Adding nuclear delivery will significantly boost the cost of the program. Though formal requirements have not yet been released, the Air Force is expected to buy about 100 bombers.

Artist's concept: DTI