The Defense Department proposes spending “approximately $2 billion between now and 2016” for research and development of conventional prompt global strike capabilities, said James Miller, principal deputy under secretary of defense for policy. This dollar figure represents another piece in the puzzle of understanding the Pentagon’s future LRS plans, which center around a new Air Force bomber aircraft. Already Air Force and Office of the Secretary of Defense officials have said they’d like to apply $3.7 billion through Fiscal 2016 towards developing the new bomber and another $800 million toward a new nuclear-capable cruise missile. In testimony before House defense overseers earlier this month, Miller said the Pentagon envisions a CPGS system “to defeat time-urgent regional threats.” DOD is “exploring in particular the potential of conventionally armed, long-range missile systems that fly a non-ballistic trajectory such as boost-glide systems,” he said. (See also Bomber Puzzle Pieces)
The Air Force tanker fleet “did not meet” its availability and mission capable rate goals from fiscal 2019 to 2025, in large part because of parts shortages and delays fielding the KC-46 refueler, according to a Government Accountability Office report released June 10.