Hermeus delivered the vehicle to Edwards AFB on Nov. 16 following the completion of low-speed taxi tests at its Atlanta facility in mid-2024.

The comments are a shift in the Air Force’s recent history with adversary aircraft.

The proposal would face an uphill challenge amid fiscal restrictions.

The comments come as a decision on how to proceed with the NGAD penetrating counter air fighter is on hold.

Engineers are already designing the system and hope to reach a preliminary design review by midyear.

The three-year initiative will develop an automated boom that uses relative navigation for airborne refueling missions.

Pratt & Whitney is planning further development of rotating detonation engine (RDE) technology following “positive test results” from a series of ground tests.

The Air Force no longer deems a stealthy successor to the Boeing KC-46 and KC-135 necessary for its modernization strategy.