The U.S. Air Force has taken the first step in an acquisition process that could lead to an air-launched hypersonic conventional cruise missile.

The Trump administration has unveiled significant new export restrictions on China that limit U.S. aircraft systems, sensors and electronics, essentially trying to keep away products that may go to any end user affiliated with the Chinese military.

MDA will accept responses from May 1 through July 31, according to a notice about the request for proposals. Two prime contracts are expected by late fall or early winter.

Lockheed Martin completed the preliminary design of its candidate for the Long Range Standoff cruise missile six months before the U.S. Air Force’s decision to award the $4.5 billion program to rival Raytheon Technologies, the service said on April 20. 

Norway and the U.S. will cooperate on advanced ramjet technologies for future missile developments.

The U.S. Air Force has selected Raytheon Technologies to develop the Long Range Stand-off cruise missile and surprisingly ended a competition with Lockheed Martin for the $4.54 billion program nearly two years early. 

The U.S. Air Force may award an $85 billion contract to Northrop Grumman early to develop the Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent missile to replace the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile.

A 20 mm cannon, 360-deg. visibility in brownout conditions and a sensor-fused cockpit are among the items on the U.S. Army’s wish list for the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft.