Aldridge Directs Navy, Marine Corps to Participate in Air Force Small Diameter Bomb Program

By Adam J. Hebert / August 17, 2001 at 5:00 AM
Pentagon acquisition chief Pete Aldridge has instructed the Navy and Marine Corps to begin participating in the Air Force's Small Diameter Bomb program, a weapon expected to dramatically increase the firepower of stealthy aircraft such as the Joint Strike Fighter. Aldridge directed Navy and Marine Corps participation because of the "joint service aspects of the program," he wrote in the Small Diameter Bomb acquisition decision memorandum late last month, according to Defense Department officials. The three services will need to...

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