Rocket development builds on tried and true experience for new orbital missions
With Russian engines out of the picture, there’s a new Medium Launch Vehicle on the horizon that is US sourced with a fairing sized to launch constellations.
After the counter-uncrewed systems, AFRICOM said it would spend another $228 million on “high-risk intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance” to shore up current “unacceptable risk” to US interests on the continent.
By Lee Ferran and Valerie Insinna
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.
By Breaking Defense Staff
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.
By Michael Marrow and Valerie Insinna
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.
By Justin Katz and Valerie Insinna
The biggest pot of money sought is for a program whose details are listed as “Description withheld. Classified topic. Materials available at higher level.”
By Aaron Mehta and Valerie Insinna
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.
By Lee Ferran and Valerie Insinna
Enterprise-wide training: the Army’s $3.5B program for multi-service combat readiness
The competition for Warfighter Training and Readiness Solutions will bring together training networks, combat training centers and live ranges across the DoD enterprise.
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.
By Theresa Hitchens and Valerie Insinna
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.
By Valerie Insinna
If lawmakers could free up $250 million in the FY25 budget, the service could use that to purchase two additional CH-53K helicopters, or $341 million could be used for the Amphibious Combat Vehicle 30mm Cannon (ACV-30) line.
By Ashley Roque and Valerie Insinna
“We need to provide the resources and I think this committee on both sides of the aisle wants to make sure our nation is safe, and provide the resources to do that,” Sen. Jon Tester said Tuesday.
By Aaron Mehta
“I expect that by the end of my tenure, if I make it all the way to [2026], that you’re going to see a substantial on-orbit capability that allows us to compete in full-spectrum operations,” Space Force chief Gen. Chance Saltzman said today.
By Aaron Mehta
Austin’s comments come just hours after it was reported that DoD Comptroller Michael McCord asked lawmakers in a letter to reconsider the unfunded priorities mandate.
By Jaspreet Gill
The Missile Defense Agency’s request for funds above the 2023 budget for the Glide Phase Interceptor will go towards reducing risks for critical technologies, including seekers, propulsion systems and thermal protection, says Director Vice Adm. Jon Hill.
By Theresa Hitchens
Mark Cancian and Chris Park of CSIS break down what is in this year’s unfunded priority lists and what they say about the state of the US military.
By Mark Cancian and Chris Park