Despite the “thumbs down” view of the QDR and Mobility Capabilities Study on procuring more than 180 C-17 airlifters, Sen. Jim Talent (R-Mo.) has enlisted a bipartisan group to push the White House to keep the production line open—taking the number to 222. A letter sent to President Bush cites the Defense Science Board position that closing the line too soon would pose an unnecessary risk.
The Pentagon’s proposed budget for the Air Force in fiscal 2027 would include billions of dollars in additional spending on advanced next-generation fighters, trainer aircraft, hypersonic missiles and more. But an expert close to Air Force issues said the service’s asks are paltry compared to the massive $1.5 trillion topline…
