According to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Michael Mullen, the mid-air breakup of an F-15 has elevated his “level of concern” and “certainly increased the risk of this whole Tacair [tactical aircraft] plan.” However, Mullen told lawmakers at a May 20 Senate Appropriations defense panel hearing, he has faith in the F-35 program and is “comfortable” with the Bush Administration plan to punt the F-22 decision to the next Administration. Mullen deflected a suggestion by Sen. Kit Bond (R-Mo.) that the Pentagon should buy more legacy fighters—upgraded versions—to bridge USAF’s acknowledged 800-aircraft fighter gap and to sustain a wider industrial base. Mullen said: “I think it’s a matter of choices. We actually don’t have a very good history of upgrading [legacy] airplanes.”
Space Force Accepts Meadowlands SATCOM Jammers
Dec. 12, 2025
The Space Force has accepted its first Meadowlands satellite communications jammer from prime contractor L3Harris and is poised to start using the system in operations next year.
