Next decade's AF bomber to be subsonic, manned

Posted on: May. 2nd, 2007 || Source: Aviation Week | E-mail Article | Print Article

Next decade's AF bomber to be subsonic, manned

The U.S. Air Force's long-range strike aircraft set to be deployed by 2018 will be subsonic and manned, said Brig. Gen. Mark Matthews, director of plans and programs, headquarters, Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base, Va.

But it would be wrong to characterize the aircraft as being entirely devoid of current technology, Matthews said May 1 during a panel discussion "Return of the Bomber: The Future of Long Range Strike," presented by the Eaker Institute, the research arm of the Air Force Association (AFA).

"There is new technology associated with this," Matthews said.

For example, the Air Force is looking at technological advancements in low observability, sensors and engine development, he said.

The 2018 deadline for a new bomber aircraft was set by the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) to address a perceived gap in strike capability.

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