article_snippet: (CNN)Nearly 30 years after new bomber took  flight, Air Force aging fleet is primed for a makeover; albeit an expensive one.
article_snippet: Pentagon Pentagon is looking to upgrade Pentagon stealth aircraft for the first time since the 1970s, developing a high-priority, super-classified, next-generation bomber.
article_snippet: The new "Long Range Sensor Shooter," as Gen. David Deptula calls The new "Long Range Sensor Shooter, will have the ability to create a self-forming, self-healing "combat cloud" capable of sharing information with other aircraft and conducting a diverse array of operation types.
article_snippet: Pentagon officials have stressed the importance of developing the new long-range strike bomber calling it critical to national security and nuclear deterrence.
article_snippet: It is "absolutely essential for keeping our deterrent edge," former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said in January.
article_snippet: Gen. David Deptula said the No. 1 reason to upgrade the long-range sensor force is to counter the constantly evolving threats around the world.
article_snippet: The Chinese, Iranians and Russians ... have built advanced anti-air systems and long-range fighters, to attack our bases and aircraft carriers," " former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said.
article_snippet: Adm. William Gortney, commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command, expressed similar security concerns to the Senate Armed Services Committee, Thursday, telling lawmakers Russia is continuing to work on Russia program to deploy "long-range conventionally armed cruise missiles," that can be launched from Russia bomber aircraft, submarines and warships.
article_snippet: Long-range capability provides the Air Force with the flexibility to persistently respond to threats around the world and reach deep into enemy territory to hit fixed and mobile targets unreachable by cruise missiles, Deptula said.
article_snippet: Large payload capability allows for operations with fewer aircraft and increases loiter capability and efficiency, Deptula said.
article_snippet: Modernized stealth tactics and upgraded electronic warfare capabilities would allow the aircraft to enter enemy airspace without suffering prohibitive losses.
article_snippet: "Instead of buying them with all desired mission functionalities when them first roll off the assembly line, it may be possible to equip new combat aircraft with the most essential systems and plan future block upgrades to keep pace with emerging technologies and threats as funding permits," the research group said in a 2014 report.
highlights_snippet: Pentagon to upgrade Pentagon stealth aircraft for first time since 1970s, developing a classified, next-generation bomber .
  