The Pentagon formally announced the Fiscal 2010 defense budget proposal with a round of briefings that began early Thursday afternoon. The Administration is asking for $533.8 billion in budget authority for base defense programs and another $130 billion to support ongoing overseas contingency operations. According to a Pentagon release, the budget reflects a 2.1 percent inflation-adjusted increase over the 2009 enacted budget of $513.3 billion. Defense Secretary Robert Gates on April 6 already had announced major weapons systems cuts, including a proposal to end F-22 Raptor production at 187 aircraft, which would leave USAF with 186 Raptors. (DOD 2010 budget overview; DOD 2010 budget summary charts) (More budget coverage ahead.)
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.