The Air Force is considering not one, but two replacements for the aging A-10 Warthog close air support plane. But analysts wonder why, given that the service is already building a new bomber (the B-21), a new tanker (the KC-46), a new fighter (the F-35A), they would want to build two Close Air Support aircraft in an era when trillion dollar deficits are once again on the horizon? – Breaking Defense
First flown in the 1970s, the Air Force could potentially fly the aging F-15 Eagle into the 2040s, according to a top Air Force official in charge of fighters and bombers. – Dayton Daily News
The Navy plans to have an operational ship-launched HELLFIRE missile on its Littoral Combat Ship by next year, giving the vessel an opportunity to better destroy approaching enemy attacks --such as swarms of attacking small boats -- at farther ranges than its existing deck-mounted guns are able to fire. – Scout Warrior
John Noonan writes: With the defense bill nearly complete, Congress has a small window to correct the administration's reductions. If not, and we continue hacking away at our missile defense options, we will have left both our homeland and our allies more vulnerable to attack. A course correction is needed. – The Weekly Standard Blog
Peter Huessy writes: Greater uncertainty over America’s deterrent modernization plans could have the effect of further unnerving our allies and emboldening our adversaries. Every year we delay refurbishing our nuclear forces, we significantly add to the cost of doing “nothing” which ironically will cost more than doing “something”. – Real Clear Defense