Australian Greens press Labor over nuclear weapons, as AUKUS decision looms

Australian Greens press Labor over nuclear weapons, as AUKUS decision looms
Australian Greens press Labor over nuclear weapons, as AUKUS decision looms

An AUKUS announcement is “imminent,” Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said. “We’re in conversation with both the UK and the US around the manner in which that is ultimately announced.”

Supporting Australia To Deter China Helps America

Supporting Australia To Deter China Helps America
Supporting Australia To Deter China Helps America

  As the Biden administration focuses on ways to improve deterrence in the Pacific, reenforcing Australia’s defense against China is a good place to start. Working closely with Australia now can send an important message to Beijing that political intimidation, backed by economic and military threats, is not in its long-term interest. For those not…

Persian Gulf Buildup By US, Israel Worries Region: ‘A Perfect Storm?’

Persian Gulf Buildup By US, Israel Worries Region: ‘A Perfect Storm?’
Persian Gulf Buildup By US, Israel Worries Region: ‘A Perfect Storm?’

Concerns of an imminent confrontation that could take place in the Mideast before Trump exits the White House next January 20 are increasing.

Ray Wants ARRW ‘Soonest’ For B-52, B-1

Ray Wants ARRW ‘Soonest’ For B-52, B-1
Ray Wants ARRW ‘Soonest’ For B-52, B-1

Combatant Commanders for European Command and Indo-Pacific Command see bombers with hypersonic capabilities as “incredibly, incredibly valuable,” says Gen. Timothy Ray.

Esper Signals Importance Of All Domain & ABMS At AFA

Esper Signals Importance Of All Domain & ABMS At AFA
Esper Signals Importance Of All Domain & ABMS At AFA

The verbal pat on the back by the Defense Secretary at the biggest Air Force event of the year signals the program’s high priority for DoD writ large.

ARRW To Mayhem To The Future Of Hypersonic Operations

ARRW To Mayhem To The Future Of Hypersonic Operations
ARRW To Mayhem To The Future Of Hypersonic Operations

“How are we going to employ hypersonic weapons, what do they bring to the battlefield?,” asks Maj. Gen. Mark Weatherington, commander of the 8th Air Force and the Joint-Global Strike Operations Center.

Aircraft Mission Capable Rates Rise: Gen. Wilson

Aircraft Mission Capable Rates Rise: Gen. Wilson
Aircraft Mission Capable Rates Rise: Gen. Wilson

“Contrary to most opinions, mission capable rates are actually increasing,” says Air Force Vice Chief Gen. Stephen Wilson, “but it’s one of the things we’re keeping an eye on.”

Raytheon Wins Long-Range Standoff Nuke Program

Raytheon Wins Long-Range Standoff Nuke Program
Raytheon Wins Long-Range Standoff Nuke Program

Raytheon has won the LRSO design competition, but it remains uncertain whether it will nab the prime contract to actually build the next-generation cruise missile or be forced to share that with Lockheed Martin.

Lockheed Martin, Air Force Press Ahead On Air-Launched Hypersonic Missile

Lockheed Martin, Air Force Press Ahead On Air-Launched Hypersonic Missile
Lockheed Martin, Air Force Press Ahead On Air-Launched Hypersonic Missile

Lockheed Martin is designing what it calls a new Hypersonic Strike Weapon-Air Breathing (which goes by the awful acronym HSW-ab) for DARPA. John Varley, Lockheed’s VP for hypersonic weapons, wouldn’t provide details due to the program’s high level of classification.

B-21 First Flight In 2021 Not Likely

B-21 First Flight In 2021 Not Likely
B-21 First Flight In 2021 Not Likely

Meanwhile, the X-37B robotic space plane has hit another record on its fifth mission, now having spent 777 days on orbit, says AFRCO Director Randall Walden.

Hands Off, Budgeteers! DoD Must Fund Our Small Bomber Fleet

Hands Off, Budgeteers! DoD Must Fund Our Small Bomber Fleet
Hands Off, Budgeteers! DoD Must Fund Our Small Bomber Fleet

If an aircraft like the B-1 was taxed so hard due to high demand, the appropriate lesson is that the nation needs more bombers, not less.

More B-21s Likely; B-1s To Carry Up To 8 Hypersonic Weapons

More B-21s Likely; B-1s To Carry Up To 8 Hypersonic Weapons
More B-21s Likely; B-1s To Carry Up To 8 Hypersonic Weapons

The U.S. has 156 bombers today. But the Air Force is committed to boasting 386 squadrons, up 75 from its total today. “Certainly,” Gen. Timothy Ray said, “that means good growth for the bombers.”

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.

Leaks, Drones, Mystery Attacks: US-Iran Tensions Boil Hot, But…

Leaks, Drones, Mystery Attacks: US-Iran Tensions Boil Hot, But…
Leaks, Drones, Mystery Attacks: US-Iran Tensions Boil Hot, But…

As troops and hardware are on the move in the Gulf, diplomats signal that no one is eager for war.