The new program has started.Long-Range Strike Bomber is supposed to be out by 2020.The Air Force wants 80-100 of the new bombers with the option to be unmammed. The USAF wants to strech out the B-52 until 2040 but I doubt it will complete its missions due to the ever improving of the Russian and Chinese Air Defense Network. Do I think its a waste of money? No I do not. The B-52 is a relic of another time period and needs to be replaced.
RFI/RFP/R&D??
It is still an amazing technology. 60 years old and still flying.
So has the contract been awarded? Lockmart or NGC?