Sen. Jim Talent (R-Mo.) has gone on record as “strongly opposed” to the President’s 2007 defense budget proposal to terminate C-17 production at 180 aircraft—issuing a statement saying, “If we do not purchase additional transports, we will lack the capability needed to deploy and adequately sustain forces overseas.” Talent acknowledges that adding more C-17s will be “an uphill battle.” Still, he has support. The Senate late last year did pass his legislation supporting additional procurement of C-17s.
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.

