The Sikorsky HH-60W program will meet with U.S. Air Force leadership Sept. 24 to determine if the new search-and-rescue helicopter is green lighted for low-rate initial production, a company executive says.

The U.S. Army vehemently maintains that Future Vertical Lift will remain relevant as some say the concept of operations for the effort is obsolete against potential adversaries like Russia.

Six weeks after deciding not to submit an independent proposal to the U.S. Air Force, Boeing has opened discussions with Northrop Grumman to create a combined team to win the $85 billion Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) program.