:

Air Force

Design And Production Challenges Loom For C-5M, C-17 Replacement

Frank Wolfe

Thursday, March 12th, 2026

SHARE:

Design And Production Challenges Loom For C-5M, C-17 Replacement

Pictured is a U.S. Air Force photo of C-17 aircraft with the 14th Airlift Squadron at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska on Jan. 25 during Exercise Palmetto Reach.

Design and production challenges for a new, potentially stealthy airlifter loom large for the U.S. Air Force, the head of U.S. Transportation Command said on Thursday. Asked by Senate Armed Services Committee ranking member Jack Reed (D-R.I.) whether a strategic airlift program to replace the C-5M and C-17 could begin this year as a result of the upcoming Air Force fiscal 2027 budget request, Air Force Gen. Randall Reed responded that, while "strategic airlift is one of the most critical…

Army

Army Plans To Initiate ISV-Heavy Competition Later This Year, Official Says

The Army is planning to initiate its competition to build the Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV)-Heavy in the fourth quarter of this year, a senior acquisition official has said. Jesse Tolleson, […]

Senate Authorization Bill Restricts Building Navy Warships Overseas With Limited Exception For Auxiliaries

The Senate Armed Services Committee’s (SASC) version of the FY 2027 defense policy bill looks to cut the ability for the Trump administration to buy foreign-made warships, but still allow […]

Army

Army ‘Looking At Options’ For Supporting Munitions Boost Plans If Reconciliation Fails, Official Says

The Army is “looking at options” for how it would support planned boosts to munitions production if Congress doesn’t pass a reconciliation bill with the requested funding, a senior acquisition […]

Build Of At Least 45 MQ-9s By Start Of FY 2029 Required By SASC Bill

Down to an inventory of 135 MQ-9A Reapers due to the loss of two dozen aircraft in strikes on Iran, the Air Force would have to field at least 45 […]