The U.S. Navy‘s Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike program could focus on the development of aerial refueling capabilities rather than strike and reconnaissance, Defense News reported Monday.
Christopher Cavas writes that sources have indicated the planned strike and recon unmanned jets will be put on hold to make way for the Carrier-Based Aerial-Refueling System.
Defense Department Sec. Ashton Carter could announce the prioritization of CBARS this week, the report said.
According to Cavas, the decision moves away from support in Congress for a strike aircraft, for which the 2016 budget allocates $350 million.
Boeing and Northrop Grumman have submitted designs for UCLASS as part of their respective bids on the program.