Air Force Next-Generation Bomber: Background and Issues for Congress

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Abstract:

As part of its proposed FY2010 defense budget, the Administration is proposing to defer the start of a program to develop a next-generation bomber NGB for the Air Force, pending the completion of the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review QDR and associated Nuclear Posture Review NPR, and in light of strategic arms control negotiations with Russia. The Administrations proposed FY2010 budget requests no funding specifically identified in public budget documents as being for an NGB program. Prior to the submission of the FY2010 budget, the Air Force was conducting research and development work aimed at fielding a next-generation bomber by 2018. Although the proposed FY2010 defense budget proposes to defer the start of an NGB program, Air Force officials in 2009 have expressed support for the need to eventually start such a program. The Air Forces FY2010 unfunded requirements list URL-a list of programs desired by the Air Force but not funded in the Air Forces proposed FY2010 budget-includes a classified 140-million item that some press accounts have identified as being for continued work on a next-generation bomber.

Author(s):
O'rourke, Ronald
Author Organization(s):
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
Descriptive Note:
Congressional rept.
Supplementary Note:
CRS Report for Congress
Pagination:
0044

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release
Distribution Statement:
Approved For Public Release; Distribution Is Unlimited.

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Report Number(s):
CRS-7-5700, CRS-RL34406
Monitor Series:
CRS/DC
 Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_7_Protection; JCA_7.1.1_Prevent Kinetic Attack; JCA_7.1_Prevent; JCA_5_Command and Control; JCA_7.2_Mitigate; JCA_7.2.1_Mitigate Lethal Effects; JCA_5.3_Planning; JCA_4.2_Supply; JCA_5.3.3_Develop Strategy; JCA_5.4_Decide; JCA_4.2.1_Manage Supplies and Equipment; JCA_4.1_Deployment and Distribution; JCA_4.2.3_Manage Global Supplier Networks; JCA_4_Logistics; JCA_4.3_Maintain; JCA_1.1_Force Management; JCA_1_Force Support; JCA_1.1.1_Global Force Management; JCA_JCA_4.1.2_Sustain the Force; JCA_5.2_Understand; JCA_1.2.5_Lessons Learned
Modernization Areas:
Space; Hypersonics; Cyber
Communities of Interest:
Air Platforms
Descriptor(s):
*BOMBER AIRCRAFT, *BUDGETS, *CONGRESS, *JET BOMBERS, ARMS CONTROL, PRESSING(FORMING), STRATEGIC WEAPONS, RUSSIA
Field(s)/Group(s):
Bombers, Economics and Cost Analysis
Keyword(s):
NBG(NEXT GENERATION BOMBER), QDR(QUADRENNIAL DEFENSE REVIEW), URL(UNFUNDED REQUIREMENTS LIST)
Report Date:
2009 Sep 18
Creation Date:
2010 Jan 13