A Seven Aircraft Fudge Factor: The C-17 is in such heavy demand and working so well, in fact, that the fleet is being worn out at a dramatic rate. Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne, speaking at a Capitol Hill seminar Wednesday, said the C-17s are being used up at a rate “60 percent faster” than was envisioned, hence the addition of seven new C-17s in the Air Force 2007 unfunded priorities list. Wynne added that the business term for this situation is “accelerated depreciation.”
Golden Dome Details Begin to Emerge
Dec. 7, 2025
The Golden Dome air and missile defense shield to protect the United States will have some “operational capability” in 2028, the program’s leader said Dec. 6 at the Reagan National Defense Forum.

