LRS-B next-gen bomber would double R&D

摘要

The US Air Force (USAF) has doubled its research and development (R&D) request for a new nuclear-capable bomber fleet as the programme hopes to ramp up in fiscal year 2017 (FY 2017). For the Long-Range Strike Bomber (LRS-B) the service asked for USD1.358 billion in research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) funding, versus USD736 million for RDT&E enacted in FY 2016, according to budget documents released on 9 February. However, the FY 2017 request includes several billion less than was previously planned over the FY 2016-21 timeframe. The USAF said it has requested USD2.168 billion in FY 2018, USD2.636 billion in FY 2019, USD2.954 billion in FY 2020, and USD3.001 billion in FY 2021.