Congress

Running down the Pentagon’s unfunded wish lists for Congress

Running down the Pentagon’s unfunded wish lists for Congress
Running down the Pentagon’s unfunded wish lists for Congress

The annual Unfunded Priority Lists, mandated by Congress, tell lawmakers how the Pentagon would spend extra funding over the fiscal 2025 request if Congress were to grant it.

Air Force wishlist seeks additional $3.5B for spares, construction and Pacific maneuvers

Air Force wishlist seeks additional $3.5B for spares, construction and Pacific maneuvers
Air Force wishlist seeks additional $3.5B for spares, construction and Pacific maneuvers

No aircraft were featured on the Air Force’s unfunded priorities list submitted to lawmakers today despite a decision to cut back on fighter procurement in FY25.

Topping Navy’s $2.2B unfunded list: Sub industrial base, Guam infrastructure repairs

Topping Navy’s $2.2B unfunded list: Sub industrial base, Guam infrastructure repairs
Topping Navy’s $2.2B unfunded list: Sub industrial base, Guam infrastructure repairs

Like in its formal budget, the submarine industrial base is the top item in the Navy’s annual unfunded wishlist, which also aims to replace missiles used recently in the Red Sea.

Classified tech, LongShot drone lead R&E unfunded list

Classified tech, LongShot drone lead R&E unfunded list
Classified tech, LongShot drone lead R&E unfunded list

The biggest pot of money sought is for a program whose details are listed as “Description withheld. Classified topic. Materials available at higher level.”

Space Force’s unfunded wishlist comes to $1.15B, including several classified programs

Space Force’s unfunded wishlist comes to $1.15B, including several classified programs
Space Force’s unfunded wishlist comes to $1.15B, including several classified programs

Among the unclassified programs listed, the Space Force could use an additional $160 million to establish a “working capital fund” to be used for purchasing commercial satellite communications.

Congress passes $825 billion defense spending bill amid political battles, government shutdown threat

Congress passes $825 billion defense spending bill amid political battles, government shutdown threat
Congress passes $825 billion defense spending bill amid political battles, government shutdown threat

For the Pentagon, the bill’s passage signifies some return to normal order after having operated the first six months of the fiscal year under a continuing resolution.

SPACECOM wants $1.2B in FY25 for ‘unfunded priorities,’ most classified

SPACECOM wants $1.2B in FY25 for ‘unfunded priorities,’ most classified
SPACECOM wants $1.2B in FY25 for ‘unfunded priorities,’ most classified

The SPACECOM list includes almost $704 million for three unnamed classified programs, as well as $90 million to fund a trio of classified Navy electronic warfare-based “counterspace” capabilities.

Army, CENTCOM ask Congress for spending jump for counter-drone mission

Army, CENTCOM ask Congress for spending jump for counter-drone mission
Army, CENTCOM ask Congress for spending jump for counter-drone mission

The Army has sent lawmakers a $2.2 billion unfunded priority list for FY25, while US Central Command says it would happily funnel an additional $450 million towards regional security.

‘Useful’ or ‘dangerous’: Pentagon ‘maturity model’ for generative AI coming in June

‘Useful’ or ‘dangerous’: Pentagon ‘maturity model’ for generative AI coming in June
‘Useful’ or ‘dangerous’: Pentagon ‘maturity model’ for generative AI coming in June

With AI hype outrunning reality, DoD AI chief Craig Martell told lawmakers his office is “building what we’re calling a maturity model” to assess what generative AI really can and cannot do.

Space Force, IC’s battle over commercial ISR reignites as appropriators add fuel

Space Force, IC’s battle over commercial ISR reignites as appropriators add fuel
Space Force, IC’s battle over commercial ISR reignites as appropriators add fuel

More than a dozen sources tell Breaking Defense that tensions between the NGA and Space Force are rising on commercial ISR, with White House officials watching closely.

In fiscal 2025, bet on Congress or begin to pivot

In fiscal 2025, bet on Congress or begin to pivot
In fiscal 2025, bet on Congress or begin to pivot

John Ferrari and Charles Rahr, in this op-ed, argue that instead of relying on the Hill to bail it out, the Pentagon may need to embrace its true needs and change where it invests.

It’s official: The F-35 will not get a new engine anytime soon

It’s official: The F-35 will not get a new engine anytime soon
It’s official: The F-35 will not get a new engine anytime soon

After rancorous debate, a new engine for the stealth fighter was already in doubt, but legislation released by congressional appropriators today seemingly puts the issue to rest.

Replicator, planes and multi-year deals: What’s in the new FY24 defense spending bill

Replicator, planes and multi-year deals: What’s in the new FY24 defense spending bill
Replicator, planes and multi-year deals: What’s in the new FY24 defense spending bill

The bipartisan spending package, released early this morning, increases defense funding by $27 billion over the previous year’s enacted budget and includes a number of key provisions the department had requested.

In $323M wishlist, SOUTHCOM wants money to counter Chinese influence, drugs in South America

In $323M wishlist, SOUTHCOM wants money to counter Chinese influence, drugs in South America
In $323M wishlist, SOUTHCOM wants money to counter Chinese influence, drugs in South America

US Southern Command laid out 20 different unfunded budget priorities for fiscal year 2025 in a 28-page list sent to Congress and obtained by Breaking Defense.