Tag: defense budget
41 articles
Pentagon Urged to Reassess Costs of Advanced Energetic Materials
The US military's critical munitions come with a hefty price tag - over $1 million each. Can the Pentagon afford to keep shelling out big bucks for these pricey explosives and propellants?
White House Pushes Back on Congress' Trump Class Battleship Program Curbs
The White House and Congress are at odds over the Trump Class Battleship program, with a $17 billion price tag and a 2036 service entry date hanging in the balance. The White House supports authorizing 18 new ships, but is pushing back on a congressional proposal that would pause work on the program until certain weapon systems are proven effective.
US Lawmakers Slow Reconciliation Spending Momentum
The House's version of the reconciliation bill is likely to leave the Pentagon with a significantly smaller budget than requested, with less than 20% of the $350 billion sought actually being delivered. This shortfall has sparked skepticism among Senate lawmakers about the bill's chances of advancing.
Pentagon Rushes to Commit $126 Billion Before Fiscal Year Deadline
The Pentagon is racing against the clock to commit a whopping $126 billion before September 30, or risk losing some of those funds to an automatic 8.3 percent cut. With only $26 billion already on contract, time is running out to tap into the $152 billion pot from 2025 reconciliation legislation.
White House Proposes Raid on Navy E-2 Account to Fund USAF E-7s
The White House is shaking up its budget plans, proposing a $1.5 billion shift to fund the Air Force's E-7 Wedgetail program, a move that would siphon funds from the Navy's E-2D aircraft procurement. This significant reallocation aims to fast-track the development of two E-7 Wedgetail prototype aircraft.
Congress Backs $1.5B White House Bid for E-7 Wedgetail Funding
Congress is throwing its weight behind the White House's $1.5 billion bid to fund the E-7 Wedgetail program, a move that could give the project a flying start. The funding boost would come from reallocating resources from the Navy's E-2 procurement account and the Air Force's classified special update programs.
Air Force Undermines A-10 Commitment
The Air Force's commitment to keeping the A-10 flying through 2030 is being undermined by its own budget, which allocates zero dollars for modernization and cuts depot maintenance, putting the fleet's future in jeopardy. This disconnect between promise and funding is slowing down rebuilding efforts, making them costlier and increasingly infeasible.
Pentagon Weighs Cutting Traditional Weapons to Fund Drones
The Pentagon is considering a bold move: cutting back on traditional, high-end weapons to make room for swarms of low-cost drones, a shift that could revolutionize modern warfare. If funding plans fall through, the department is prepared to make tough trade-offs, prioritizing affordable, autonomous tech over pricier systems.
Pentagon Seeks $13.7 Billion to Bolster F-35 Sustainment Amid Readiness Decline
The Pentagon is throwing a lifeline to its struggling F-35 fleet, requesting $13.7 billion to boost sustainment and reverse a troubling decline in readiness that saw full mission capable rates plummet from 38% to just 25%.
Senate Panel Unveils $1.14T Defense Bill with New Drone Command
The Senate Armed Services Committee has just unveiled a groundbreaking $1.14 trillion defense policy bill that sets the stage for a major overhaul of the Pentagon's approach to unmanned systems and artificial intelligence. At the heart of the bill is the creation of a new four-star combatant command dedicated to robotic and autonomous systems.
House Appropriators Unveil $1 Trillion Defense Bill for FY27
The House Appropriations Committee has just unveiled a groundbreaking $1 trillion defense bill for FY27, prioritizing the production of critical munitions, cutting-edge technology, and modern warfare capabilities to equip troops for the challenges ahead. With $10.6 billion allocated for legacy munitions and $836 million for low-cost options, this bill is set to revolutionize the nation's defense strategy.
Lawmakers Press Army for Detailed Transformation Plans
Congress is pushing the Army for a clearer roadmap to achieve its transformation goals, with Rep. Mike Rogers bluntly stating that the Army hasn't done its homework. The House Armed Services Committee has now mandated an annual report and briefing from the Army to keep lawmakers in the loop.
Congress Rebuffs Effort to Cut Trump-class Battleship Funding
In a surprising move, an effort to slash funding for the Trump-class battleship program was shut down, with Rep. Adam Smith's amendment to strip $1 billion in advanced procurement failing 26-30. The congressman had argued that the hefty $20 billion price tag of the lead battleship could be better spent elsewhere.
Congress Pushes Navy to Develop Containerized HELIOS Laser
Congress is pushing the Navy to revolutionize its laser technology by developing a containerized version of the highly anticipated HELIOS laser, a move that could significantly enhance the military's capabilities. A proposed $5 million funding boost for this project is sparking excitement about the potential for a game-changing maritime defense system.
House Defense Bill Leaves Trump Priorities Unfunded
The House Armed Services Committee's initial defense spending plan falls short of the Pentagon's request, setting a baseline of $1.15 trillion - a far cry from the $1.5 trillion needed to fund key priorities. This leaves crucial initiatives in limbo, tied to a separate reconciliation vehicle rather than being fully funded.
House Panel Targets Defense Industrial Base in $1.15T Policy Bill
The House Armed Services Committee's draft defense policy bill aims to bolster the Defense Industrial Base, driven by a stark reality: the US no longer has the capacity to rapidly produce war-fighting capabilities at scale. A $1.15 trillion spending plan is on the table, but a separate $350 billion request remains a crucial wildcard.
Air Force Delays Next-Gen Fighter Jet Engine Prototyping to 2031
The Air Force has pushed back the prototyping timeline for its Next-Gen Fighter jet engine to 2031, allowing for more rigorous testing and evaluation of the Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion program. This delay enables the service to thoroughly investigate test findings and ensure the program's success.
Army's Munitions, Industrial Plans Hinge on Reconciliation Bill
The Army's ambitious plans for munitions and industrial upgrades are hanging in the balance, awaiting crucial support from the reconciliation bill to accelerate progress. Without it, the pace of modernization and vital factory upgrades may stall, warns Maj. Gen. Rebecca McElwain, the Army's budget director.
Army Transformation Initiative Under Review Amid Funding Concerns
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is hitting the pause button on the Army Transformation Initiative, admitting that while some aspects are promising, others require a closer look. The move has sparked questions from lawmakers and military leaders about the future of the Army's overhaul.
US Air Force Weighs Supercruising Bomber as B-52 Replacement Option
The US Air Force is exploring a game-changing supercruising bomber as a potential replacement for the B-52, with a $15 billion engine replacement program set to reach initial operational capability by 2033. This move comes as the service weighs its options for the future of its heavy bomber fleet.
US Military's Golden Dome Costs Under Scrutiny
The US military's ambitious Golden Dome missile defense system has sparked a heated debate over its hefty price tag, with the Congressional Budget Office estimating a staggering $1.2 trillion cost that Space Force Gen. Michael Guetlein has publicly disputed. Gen. Guetlein argues that the estimate is inflated, setting off a battle over the program's true cost.
Taiwan's Drone Ambitions Hit as Defense Budget Cut Stalls Unmanned Buildup
Taiwan's plans to boost its drone capabilities have hit a roadblock after a significant cut to its defense budget, with zero new domestically produced drones set to be procured in 2026. The budget slash, resulting from a Legislative Yuan vote, has stalled the island's ambitious unmanned buildup.
Pentagon Pushes Back on $1.2 Trillion Missile Defense Estimate
The Space Force is pushing back on a staggering $1.2 trillion price tag for its Golden Dome missile-defense system, with Gen. Michael Guetlein saying the Congressional Budget Office's estimate doesn't match the architecture they're building. The disputed cost has sparked a heated debate over the program's true price.
Pentagon Reverses Course, Backs E-7 Radar Plane Funding
In a stunning U-turn, the Pentagon is reviving funding for the E-7 Wedgetail radar plane, sending a budget amendment to the White House after abruptly cutting it from the 2027 budget request. This sudden reversal underscores the military's renewed commitment to the aircraft's critical capabilities.