Pentagon’s FY27 budget seeks 85 F-35s, but most ride on reconciliation
The Pentagon’s fiscal 2027 budget request seeks 85 F-35 Lightning II fighters across the joint force, up from 47 in fiscal 2026.
Naval
US Navy is reviewing cost of future Ford-class carriers to ensure they ‘make sense’
The service is looking at how superior Ford-class carriers are to Nimitz-class carriers, said the recently ousted Navy Secretary John Phelan.
US Army’s budget lacks plan to buy protection system for Bradley vehicles
The Army is further afield to get a vehicle protection capability in place for its current fleet against rockets and drones, and the service has provided no funding to procure an interim system for its Bradley in the meantime.
US nuclear commander warns of deterrence ‘crisis’ against Russia and China
The head of U.S. Strategic Command, which oversees the nuclear arsenal, warned Congress Wednesday Washington faces a deterrence crisis amid Russia’s war in Ukraine and China’s rapid nuclear modernization efforts.
Pentagon says inflation has made one company request to cancel a long-term contract
The Pentagon acknowledges the impacts a record 40-year-high inflationary spiral has had on its defense contract negotiations, in a letter submitted to congressional Republicans who criticized the FY23 budget request for underestimating the inflation rate.
Congress signals openness to Turkey F-16 sale amid Ukraine cooperation
Several key lawmakers who proved instrumental in expelling Turkey from the F-35 program have cautiously signaled to Defense News that they may be inclined to allow Ankara to purchase F-16s.
How much did engine delays set back the Future Attack Recon Aircraft program?
An Army prototype flight schedule, among other milestones, has slipped due to issues getting the first ITEP engine into testing during the pandemic, budget books show.
Austin pledges to restock US ammo sent to Ukraine
The U.S. defense secretary assured lawmakers Tuesday he wouldn’t let stockpiles of critical munitions fall below minimum levels, as the Pentagon sends its own weapons to Ukraine’s defense against Russia.
Moskva’s sinking, the rise of anti-ship cruise missiles and what that means for the US Navy
If a relatively low-cost, short-range missile can destroy one of the largest warships in the Russian Navy, how do we ensure that ships in our fleet are not doomed to the same fate?
Biden’s Javelin factory tour spotlights struggle to backfill Ukraine munitions
President Joe Biden is slated to visit Alabama on Tuesday to tour a Lockheed Martin facility tasked with manufacturing Javelin anti-tank missiles, given to Ukraine by the thousands.
US Navy envisions larger fleet despite long-range plans reflecting budget crunch
The Navy is heading toward a fleet size that its top officer admits “nobody likes.”
