House Armed Services Chairman Duncan Hunter berated the lack of stability in major acquisition programs, saying Wednesday that the “DOD budget legacy is one of missed procurement opportunities.” He called budget decisions made on the F-22A, the Joint Strike Fighter alternate engine, and others over the last few years “difficult to understand.” His bottom line: “Frequent changes in acquisition programs lead to increased program costs, and in the end, result in fewer platforms being fielded.”
The U.S. began extensive air and artillery strikes against Islamic State group targets in Syria on Dec. 19 in retaliation for the killing of three Americans on Dec. 13 by a gunman affiliated with ISIS, U.S. officials said.

