When setting requirements for a next-generation bomber, USAF should emphasize its conventional role, with the nuclear mission a distant second place. That’s the view of Barry Blechman, a member of DOD’s Defense Policy Board and president of DFI International. Blechman told the National Defense University Foundation on July 19 that strikes against terrorists and rogue states call for conventional capabilities, not nuclear ones. High costs of development and maintaining nuclear weapons are a drawback, he said. Blechman added that he does not consider it consider it risky to de-emphasize the nuclear role, because USAF seemingly finds its B-52s and a few nuclear-capable B-2 bombers sufficient for the task.
A recent seven-day exercise sent Air Force F-22s—along with other USAF aircraft—to austere, challenging environments across Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. Agile Reaper, taking place for the second time after its inaugural edition last year, featured 800 Airmen and 29 aircraft across five different locations from April 10-16, training…