On Its Birthday, The Air Force Needs To Fight For What It Deserves

On Its Birthday, The Air Force Needs To Fight For What It Deserves
On Its Birthday, The Air Force Needs To Fight For What It Deserves

On Sept. 17th, the Air Force celebrated its birthday with pomp, circumstance and cake. Behind the celebration, however, there are dangerous trends seen within the service, including a number of key platforms that are aging out and major expenses about to hit. David Deptula, the dean of the Mitchell Institute, says the service needs to…

New Democratic Push For DoD Cuts Highlights China, Shipbuilding Woes

New Democratic Push For DoD Cuts Highlights China, Shipbuilding Woes
New Democratic Push For DoD Cuts Highlights China, Shipbuilding Woes

“If we get into a conflict with China, this is not going to be like a World War II conflict where we have massive elements of the industrial base that can quickly convert to manufacturing the necessities for war…that’s just not going to happen,” Rep. Rob Wittman says.

DepSecDef Will Run Most Missile Defense, Nuke Modernization; SecDef Recused

DepSecDef Will Run Most Missile Defense, Nuke Modernization; SecDef Recused
DepSecDef Will Run Most Missile Defense, Nuke Modernization; SecDef Recused

“I am worried about the state of the readiness of the nuclear triad,” Deputy SecDef nominee Kath Hicks tells the Senate Armed Services Committee this morning, “and, if confirmed, that is an area I would want to get my team in place and start to look at right away.” 

Draft House Continuing Resolution To Fund Columbia Sub; McConnell Says No

Draft House Continuing Resolution To Fund Columbia Sub; McConnell Says No
Draft House Continuing Resolution To Fund Columbia Sub; McConnell Says No

The draft bill comes after budget talks between House Dems and the White House fell apart on Friday. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell rejected today’s proposal out of hand.

Navy Gets $10.4B For Columbia Subs As Missile Tubes Fixed; Congress Keeping Service On Tight Leash

Navy Gets $10.4B For Columbia Subs As Missile Tubes Fixed; Congress Keeping Service On Tight Leash
Navy Gets $10.4B For Columbia Subs As Missile Tubes Fixed; Congress Keeping Service On Tight Leash

House committee wants to hold money back from DoD until it delivers shipbuilding plans, while putting the breaks on armed unmanned surface ships.

Pandemic Hits Navy’s New Nuke Submarine Program

Pandemic Hits Navy’s New Nuke Submarine Program
Pandemic Hits Navy’s New Nuke Submarine Program

Work on the missile tubes for the Navy’s part of the nation’s nuclear triad is months behind schedule after Babcock was smacked hard by the pandemic.

FTC Investigates Northrop: GBSD?

FTC Investigates Northrop: GBSD?
FTC Investigates Northrop: GBSD?

WASHINGTON: The Federal Trade Commission appears to be investigating whether Northrop Grumman acted in restraint of trade and violated an order requiring the company to sell its solid motor rocket engines on “a non-discriminatory basis to all competitors for missile contracts.” Northrop disclosed the investigation today in its quarterly report: “In October 2019, the company received…

No ‘National Team’ For GBSD; Don’t Delay New ICBMs: Chris Miller

No ‘National Team’ For GBSD; Don’t Delay New ICBMs: Chris Miller
No ‘National Team’ For GBSD; Don’t Delay New ICBMs: Chris Miller

The absence of competition would remove cost pressure for both major contractors, which may be attractive for them but is unlikely to bode well for taxpayers.

Boeing: Still Interested In GBSD, But RFP Changes Needed

Boeing: Still Interested In GBSD, But RFP Changes Needed
Boeing: Still Interested In GBSD, But RFP Changes Needed

“For now, we remain in source selection” for the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent contract despite Boeing’s withdrawal, says a spokesperson for Air Force acquisition chief Will Roper.

Sen. Hoeven: Fully Fund GBSD & Nuke Warhead Modernization

Sen. Hoeven: Fully Fund GBSD & Nuke Warhead Modernization
Sen. Hoeven: Fully Fund GBSD & Nuke Warhead Modernization

You don’t see lots of op-eds from members of the House or Senate appropriations committees. Why? The so-called cardinals — whose influence has slipped with the demise of regular budget order in the two chambers — remain among the most powerful figures on Capitol Hill because they have a greater say than most of their…

New START’s Death May Up Costs of Triad Modernization

New START’s Death May Up Costs of Triad Modernization
New START’s Death May Up Costs of Triad Modernization

In any post-New START nuclear buildup, Russia will “at least initially” have an edge over the US, says retired Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz, former head of Air Force Global Strike Command.

Don’t Delay GBSD ICBMs; It’s Too Risky

Don’t Delay GBSD ICBMs; It’s Too Risky
Don’t Delay GBSD ICBMs; It’s Too Risky

Critics of modernizing the U.S. nuclear triad have called to delay or even terminate the GBSD. Their arguments do not make strategic, technical or economic sense.

Navy Stands Up Columbia Submarine Office, Key to Nuclear Triad

Navy Stands Up Columbia Submarine Office, Key to Nuclear Triad
Navy Stands Up Columbia Submarine Office, Key to Nuclear Triad

With new Columbia-class subs set to shoulder 70% of the nation’s nukes through the 2080s, the Navy is breaking it off from other sub programs.

Trump Calls For Arms Control, Rips Own Defense Budget As “Crazy”

Trump Calls For Arms Control, Rips Own Defense Budget As “Crazy”
Trump Calls For Arms Control, Rips Own Defense Budget As “Crazy”

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump injected a fresh dose of uncertainty over defense spending Monday when he derided 2019’s defense budget — which he readily signed and has praised for months — as “Crazy!” The sharp turn in sentiment came in another dreaded early-morning presidential tweet that often shift the talking points for entire segments of…