Two teams have been chosen out of three to proceed in a competition to build the Next-Generation Interceptor to defend the U.S. against intercontinental ballistic missiles.
The announcement comes after months of studying options between the costly TLVS platform, aimed at destroying sophisticated missiles and aircraft, and cheaper weapons for intercepting enemy drones.
Amid worries about potential tampering with chips from overseas, the project seeks to convert more microchips into higher-performing designs with more security features.
B-2 Spirit bombers arrived at Portugal's Lajes Field this week to participate in short-notice deterrence task force flights, the Air Force said Wednesday.