ADVERTISEMENT

No Boost for Long-Range Strike

May 7, 2010 | By John A. Tirpak

Don’t expect great funding infusions or schedule acceleration in the Air Force’s long-range strike activities as a result of Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ plans to reduce aircraft carriers and submarines, Air Force Secretary Michael Donley told the Daily Report Thursday. Commenting on Gates’ speech to the Navy League on Monday (see “Blacker Saturday?” above), Donley said “I wouldn’t read the Navy speech as putting emphasis on long-range strike,” but as a simple recitation of the economic facts of life. He added, “We are all facing the prospect of more program than our budgets can sustain,” he said (see Internal Problem above)

Related Content

Kadena Sends ‘Message You Can’t Ignore’ with Huge Elephant Walk

May 9, 2025
The Air Force displayed all the firepower it has amassed on Okinawa in an unusually diverse show of force this week. IIn a May 6 “Elephant Walk,” Kadena Air Base showcased 24 F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters, eight F-15E Strike Eagles; two U.S. Army Patriot anti-missile batteries near the runway; and…

New Study: Air Force Needs to Work Now on How to Sustain CCAs in the Field

May 8, 2025
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.

SPACECOM Wants to Be Dynamic in Orbit. The Question Is How

May 8, 2025
U.S. Space Command is still passionate about the idea of being able to maneuver satellites in orbits without worrying about conserving fuel. But how exactly to achieve that remains unsettled as the combatant command works with the Pentagon’s acquisition enterprise, SPACECOM’s deputy commander said. 

Pentagon Opening the Throttle on New Rules for Software 

May 8, 2025
The Department of Defense is pushing ahead with a plan to automate and streamline the system it uses to ensure that software running on military networks is secure, and will start implementation next month, acting Chief Information Officer Katie Arrington said May 7. 

New B-52 Radar Program Has Nunn-McCurdy Cost Breach, May Be Reduced in Scope

May 8, 2025
The B-52 Radar Modernization Program has incurred a Nunn-McCurdy breach, with a cost estimate increase of more than 15 percent, the Air Force said. A breach of that magnitude won’t require the Secretary of Defense to certify the program as critical to national defense, but the program may be reduced…

What the Supreme Court’s Transgender Ban Really Means

May 7, 2025
The Supreme Court's May 6 decision to grant the Trump administration's request to block a lower court's injunction means the Defense Department can resume separating transgender service members under a directive issued in February.