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If the original plan had survived contact with Congress last year, the U.S. special operations forces community would be signing a $900 million contract for 75 new aircraft right about now.

Instead, a burgeoning competition for the Armed Overwatch contract is about to get a reboot following the completion of an independent review of Special Operations Command’s (SOCOM) rapid, if not hasty, acquisition strategy.

Access exclusive subscriber-only coverage as the acquisition effort aims to provide special operations forces with deployable, affordable and sustainable manned aircraft systems.

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Credit: U.S. Air Force