“We have 141 bombers in the inventory,” said Air Force Gen. Thomas Bussiere. “The demand signal for the bombers is greater than any time I’ve seen in my career, across the fabric of every geographic combatant command.”
The US bomber fleet has been off alert since 1991, but the nuclear threats of China, Russia and North Korea means it's time to go back to the Cold War posture, argue two nuclear power advocates.
Answering the Pentagon’s call to bolster defense industrial base.
Little is known about the details of the newly unveiled B-21 bomber, but IISS's Ben Ho writes that from what we know, its mission set could expand to the sea.
China analyst Dean Cheng breaks down the key military aspects of Chinese leader Xi Jinping's statements at the recent Party Congress.
The benefit of diverse and effective long-range precision fires was reinforced by then-U.S. Pacific Command Commander Navy Adm. Harry Harris, who challenged the Army to develop more lethal, long-range precision fires that could not only engage adversary land targets, but also sink ships at sea.
The US needs to shift investment from hallowed but vulnerable legacy platforms – especially aircraft carriers and B-52 bombers – to more flexible and survivable weapons systems – above all, Aegis warships and the unfairly much-maligned F-35.
From emerging data networks to missile tracking and cyber resilience, Breaking Defense’s latest eBook brings together essential reporting on the evolving role of satellites in national security.
"I guess if someone were to take a message [from the basing agreement] it’s that we’re not restricted to one particular location," said Gen. Steven Basham, deputy commander of Air Forces in Europe/Africa.
As the services rush to field hypersonics, OSD’s top expert warns, they must not repeat sloppy mistakes that have marred past tests – and hypersonic cruise missiles may have more tactical value than easier-to-build boost-glide weapons.
“It’s really important that we don’t let these issues get swept up in … political transitions between administrations,” warned the head of Air Force Global Strike Command.
"All of the services are pursuing new long-range strike capabilities today, kind of like little kids chasing a soccer ball, and someone needs to ask which investments will maximize our nation’s long-range strike warfighting potential," said Mitchell Institute's Mark Gunzinger.
The data show the deployment of an amphibious ready group was effective, as was the movement of an aircraft carrier strike group. Deploying ground forces and land-based air forces in significant numbers also were effective attention-getters.
The Air Force hopes replacing the engines will keep the venerable B-52 in the air through 2050 -- just two years shy of a century.
"But we are seeing in the information spaces especially ... we are seeing those that are trying to take advantage of this situation," Gen. Goldfein said in a wide-ranging discussion this morning sponsored by the Mitchell Institute.
"Winning the future fight will require us to dominate space," said Maj. Gen. John Pletcher, Air Force deputy assistant secretary for budget.