In a parting letter on Jan. 19, U.S. Air Force acquisition chief Will Roper urged the service to sustain a risk-taking approach toward advanced technologies to put the U.S. first in its competition with China. "Strides in agile software, rapid prototyping, digital engineering, internet-like interconnectivity, artificial intelligence, commercial technology and private investment, sustainment innovation--and even correcting a few genetic defects like dependence on Russian rockets and the KC-46 tanker--are just a few examples of how fast and agile you can…
