USAF to develop new cruise missile, page 1

The USAF is expecting to award a contract to develop a new Long Range Standoff cruise missile. It's expected to replace both the AGM-86 and the AGM-129. Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon will all be asked to submit trade studies in support of the program, and will receive fixed price contracts.

Theories about the capability requirements of the new missile, include being stealthier, more resistant to jamming, longer ranged, and possibly able to carry a variety of payloads, and being re programmable in flight.

The US Air Force is expecting to award sole-source contracts to four firms to develop technology for its Long Range Standoff (LRSO) cruise missile programme.

Contracts will be awarded to Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Raytheon. "These firm fixed-price contracts will procure trade studies in support of the Long Range Standoff program in preparation for the Technology Development Phase," reads a US government contract solicitation notice. "The Government intends to solicit, negotiate and award to the contractors listed above using other than full and open competition procedures."