After a long absence, a new bomber is back on the Air Force's list of its top five acquisition priorities, but turbulence in the F-35 program may see some of the other priorities swapped around in the months ahead. The list was announced by Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley in January, as a preview of the defense budget released in mid-February. Speaking to a group in Arlington, Va., comprising mainly industry officials, local Air Force Association members, and air attaches, Donley called the list a "broader summary" of USAF investment priorities. Topping the list-as it has for most of the last decade-is the KC-X tanker, which Donley said remains "central to joint, interagency, and coalition operations in peace and at war." Final offers were submitted by Boeing and EADS North America in February; members of Congress have said they expect a tanker selection to be announced sometime this month.
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