The U.S. Air Force has nominated Lt. Gen. Dale White, currently serving as the military deputy for acquisition, technology, and logistics, for promotion to the rank of general. This nomination, announced on Tuesday, aims to appoint White to a newly created role as direct reporting portfolio manager for critical major weapons systems, pending confirmation.
In his new role, White will report directly to Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg. His responsibilities will include ensuring centralized oversight and expedited delivery of several significant defense programs. Among the programs he will oversee are the F-47 family of systems, which includes a sixth-generation fighter by Boeing and collaborative combat aircraft, as well as the B-21 Raider stealth bomber family, the LGM-35A Sentinel and Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles, and the VC-25B presidential aircraft, known as Air Force One.
The Air Force highlighted that White’s appointment is part of their acquisition reform efforts to enhance efficiency, reduce redundancy, and bolster capabilities for warfighters. This restructuring aims to address ongoing concerns regarding the troubled Sentinel and Air Force One programs, which have been the subject of scrutiny due to delays and cost overruns.
Boeing has faced challenges with the Air Force One program, having been awarded a $3.9 billion fixed-price contract to convert two 747-8 aircraft. However, the program, originally expected to deliver the aircraft last year, now faces a timeline pushing delivery to at least 2027 or even 2029. Similar problems have emerged with the Northrop Grumman Sentinel program, which is projected to cost $160 billion, significantly exceeding the initial estimate of $77.7 billion, leading to a critical Nunn-McCurdy breach.
White, who has over 28 years of experience in the Air Force, previously served as a program executive officer for advanced aircraft and worked on the B-21 Raider program from 2015 to 2018. He participated in an announcement where Boeing was selected to build the F-47.
To assist him in his new responsibilities, White will have a specialized staff at the Pentagon, although the existing acquisition workforce will maintain their current positions. The Air Force plans to collaborate with the Pentagon and Undersecretary of Defense for acquisition and sustainment, Michael Duffey, to establish White’s office in the coming months.
