Despite talk of another revision of specifications or even a full design competition among aircraft manufacturers, General LeMay, now in charge of Strategic Air Command, insisted that performance should not be compromised due to delays in engine development.
Selv om der var tale om en ny revision af kravene eller endda en helt ny udbudsrunde blandt flyfabrikkerne, insisterede general LeMay, som nu var blevet leder af Strategic Air Command, på, at indsatsen ikke måtte blive hæmmet af forsinkelser indenfor udviklingen af motorer.