On Saturday, USAF F-16s flew a pre-planned strike against an insurgent staging area in the vicinity of Baquba, Iraq—expending one GBU-38 and destroying the position. On Sunday, USAF A-10s performed air strikes against anti-coalition militia in the vicinity of Asadabad, Afghanistan—expending seven rockets and 884 rounds of 30 mm cannon fire.
While the Pentagon has signaled its intent to scale technology, field new systems faster, and work more with nontraditional vendors, a new report identifies persistent manufacturing capacity, resourcing, workforce, and modernization challenges that could hinder its ability to deliver on those goals.