A senior defense official told lawmakers last week that the Nuclear Posture Review, initially due out with the Administration’s 2011 budget, had been delayed simply because it “is more comprehensive and complex than the prior two,” characterizing the first two post-Cold War reviews as “internal DOD planning activity.” However, Bradley Roberts, deputy assistant secretary of defense for nuclear and missile defense policy, told the Senate Armed Services strategic forces panel March 17, that, absent the report itself, the budget proposal “reflects the results of the NPR and we don’t expect subsequent changes.” (See Triad Remains) The results are in, but Bradley said that the leadership had to “work its way through the issues to the point where it’s satisfied with the result.” He concluded, “We think we’re just about at that point right now.”
The Air Force could conduct an operation like Israel's successful air campaign against Iran's nuclear sites, military leadership and air defenses, but readiness issues would make it risky, airpower experts said. Limited spare parts and training, low mission capable rates and few flying hours would put a drag on USAF's…