Aircraft
U.S. Air Force is 'Very Close' to Selecting Bomber Contractor
The service plans to soon award an engineering and manufacturing development contract for the secretive Long Range Strike-Bomber.
William LaPlante, shown testifying before Congress, briefed reporters on the Long Range Strike-Bomber. (Photo: Department of Defense)
William LaPlante, shown testifying before Congress, briefed reporters on the Long Range Strike-Bomber. (Photo: Department of Defense)

While saying that they are “really, really close” to announcing the selection of a contractor to begin development of the Long Range Strike-Bomber (LRS-B), U.S. Air Force officials offered precious few other details on the secretive program during a roundtable discussion with reporters October 21 at the Pentagon. They suggested that the service will soon award an engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) contract calling for about four flying test aircraft, with options for the first five production lots of 21 new bombers.