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Next-Gen Bomber Possible Casualty of Economic Crisis: Gates

By Greg Grant Tuesday, January 27th, 2009 1:48 pm
Posted in Air, Policy

In his testimony today before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Defense Secretary Robert Gates suggested that the Air Force’s Next Generation bomber might become a casualty of the U.S. economic downturn and the resulting smaller defense budget. Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh (D-In.), asked Gates about public comments he had previously made in favor of a new bomber and asked what steps DOD was taking to make sure the bomber comes on line by the stated goal of 2018.

“I made that speech at a time when the economic outlook was rather different than it is now and the prospects for the defense budget perhaps different. We need to look at all of the aspects of our strategic posture, the role of a next generation bomber, along with some of the other systems we’ve been talking about, clearly have to be a focus of the Quadrennial Defense Review. It is my intent to launch that next month, and to do so in an accelerated way, so it can if not shape the FY 2010 budget have a dramatic impact on the FY 2011 budget and the bomber would be looked at in that context,” Gates said.

Bayh asked Gates if DOD had any unfunded “reset” requirements that should be included in the Obama administration’s planned economic stimulus package. Gates said he did not, if the requests included in the FY 2009 supplemental were properly funded.

In his prepared statement, Gates addressed the Air Force’s spotty record on managing the nuclear weapons inventory. “The stewardship of that arsenal is perhaps the military’s most sensitive mission – with no margin for error. That there should be any question in that regard is why recent lapses in the handling of nuclear weapons and material were so grave.” He said the Air Force has taken significant steps to improve its “nuclear stewardship.”

“A task force headed by former Energy and Defense Secretary James Schlesinger has now reported. It has identified many trends, both recent and long-term, that may warrant corrective action. Among its recommendations:
• A new assistant secretary of defense for deterrence to oversee nuclear management; and
• Develop and maintain a strategic roadmap to modernize and sustain our nuclear forces.
I will be evaluating all of the Schlesinger Commission recommendations along with the new service secretaries and defense team.”

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	DC2 Jennings January 27th, 2009 at 4:55 pm Based on the picture, is Sec. Gates trying to be bipartisan in both wearing and not wearing his coat? Just curious. DC2
	bambooviper January 27th, 2009 at 5:43 pm DC2 Jennings– It sure looks that way don’t it. Funny!
	Rich January 27th, 2009 at 7:28 pm He suffered an injury over the holidays and was to have surgery last week. He probably didn’t want to put the injured arm/hand through the sleeve.
	Greg Grant January 27th, 2009 at 8:01 pm What you can’t see in the pic is his bandaged hand. It does looks a little strange from that angle.
	bobbymike January 27th, 2009 at 10:10 pm A TRILLION dollars for pork, pork and pork but let’s cancel next generation systems. What a crock of “bleep” There is $600 million for “preparing the nation for universal heathcare” but there is no money. What do you expect from the left, money for everything but what the constitution says to do! Well at least we will be a socialist utopia where we can all share together in the misery of total equality. No rich or poor just shoulder to shoulder in the rice fields together.
	Vark January 28th, 2009 at 4:01 am Yeah isnt it a shame. Get lax on defense and get overthrown like the Romans everyone getting fatter and eating more Mac and cheese Go for it liberals. Lets just put the gitmo detainees on Baracks payroll while there at it.
	spacehauk January 28th, 2009 at 9:59 am Better learn how to eat our noodles with chopsticks! The left blocks our updating our nukes, the ridiculous spending by Obama and crew blocks any chance of building anything new for our fighting boys for the next 40 years.
	DC2 Jennings January 28th, 2009 at 10:16 am Bobby, Socialist utopia? I thought walking shoulder to shoulder in the rice fields (or any other field for that matter) is called military life. Those damned communists have infiltrated our military!!!! I for one am all for closing Gitmo. If you haven’t been there, then you shouldn’t be allowed to vote on it. It is a useless money pit. Think about how much money we spend just to support that base. Where are the current terrorists being held in the United States? Where is the unabomber, Eric Rudolph, the McVeighs (at one point at least), or the Al Qaeda group that bombed the Trade Center the first time? It’s not like we have never had a trial in federal court using classified information before. Apparently we are all big, bad, and brave until it comes to housing 100 terrorists in isolation at a supermax prison. DC2
	TNT January 28th, 2009 at 12:52 pm Everyone should pay attention to the $$$$$ we are “giving” to the Afghans, and others for killing some civilians in a WAR zone…$40,000 to a small village??? This is just a small amount, but how much money are we tossing around over there like this? Gates should stop throwing our money away…the billions we are spending are crazy as it is, let alone paying people for being in a war zone… My husband is an Army Officer and been in 18 years..He is in Iraq and sees much. I am all for giving our troops everything they need…just stop being wasteful, pork barrel this and that…ugh!!
	TNT January 28th, 2009 at 1:05 pm Oh…and pay attention to the pork barrel items.… 200 million wanted for the remodeling of a huge Mall in DC… birth control for high school girls.…what does ANY of this have to do with anything important?? the 200 million can go toward the money the military needs…all the selfish, self serving greedy pigs in Washington need to be sent to the front lines…let them be on a patrol in the dangerous areas…let them get shot at, bombed, and everything else…and no, let no one protetect them…let them see how good they can be with NO protection, or not enough protection… first hand knowledge would serve them right.…and i know the tune in Washington would change rapidly…
	DC2 Jennings January 28th, 2009 at 1:52 pm TNT, Appropriate name. Understand that these people we give money to are civilians. Yes they are in a war zone, but they may not be at war with us. So would you rather pay their families off to acknowledge their family member died unjustly or would you rather create the next Taliban or Al Qaeda? “Hearts and minds” is the key to defeat any insurgency. This is part of the “Patreus (sp)” doctrine. Birth control was removed thanks to the fine work of the Republicans. That is what the two party system is for, checks and balances. I agree the new grass for the National Mall should not be a part of the stimulus bill. However that should be budgeted to be done. The Vietnam, Korea, and WWII memorials are on that mall. It is a national treasure that should be shown respect. I guess you are against having every federal government building in D.C. made of granite too? There is also a reason we do that. In my opinion, the people of this great nation have forced our government throughout both of these fights to protect our military members serving. Remember the old slogan “you go to war with the equipment you have and not the equipment you want.” That didn’t go over too well did it? Since then I think we have moved heaven and earth to take care of everyone serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. DC2
	bobbymike January 28th, 2009 at 3:40 pm DC2, Working not walking in the rice fields, just being re-educated under the Obama, I mean Pol Pot regime. As for the cost of Gitmo could you provide the link to the budget document that details the cost. But in the meantime here is a philosophical question (ok two questions) 1) do you think it is cheaper at a supermax? 2) is there a relative “cost” that when reached should trigger the terrorists release due to how expensive it is? While morally there is little difference from the McVeighs to al Qaeda they are worlds apart legally. Like it or not McVeigh was a US citizen protected by the constitution while AQ are not, oh wait the Supreme Court made unlawful enemy combatants subject to constitutional protections for the first time in US history. FRD imprisoned Japanese-US citizens and executed German spies. Abraham Lincoln tried Confederate soldiers in military tribunals but let’s go to criminal court with terrorists.
	DC2 Jennings January 28th, 2009 at 4:15 pm bobby, Understand Gitmo since I now know you haven’t been to that god forsaken place: Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, has to be brought in be either aircraft or ship. The port is on one side of a river dividing the base (Cuban and Russian ships go down this river to get to the sea all the time), while the airport is on the other side. If we felt that “The Rock” in the middle of San Fran Bay was too expensive to operate and keep the world’s worst criminals how can these be cost efficient. It’s funny that we as a nation have condemned what we did to US citizens of Japanese origin during WWII, yet you bring it up to support your platform. We executed McVeigh too so doing that on US soil isn’t a problem. Heck while we are at it, let’s bring up the trail of tears or what the white man did to the indians. That is about as relevant as the lines you provided. Let me put the cost issue to you this way. If supermax wasn’t cheaper all of the criminals in said prisons would be housed at Gitmo right now. To answer you second question, I believe that these terrorists (just like those housed now) should sit there and rot until either they die naturally or we kill them. What about the Al Qaeda currently housed in supermax prisons? How are they worlds apart legally from those we have at Gitmo? DC2
	Kat Hak Sung January 28th, 2009 at 4:29 pm This proves who benefitted from 911 attack and who is behind this false flag terrorism. Al Qaida (or most other terrrorist group) exists where US intelligence dominates. Al Qaida in US when Bush needs excuse to activate Mid-east war. That is 911 attack. Al Qaida is everywhere in Iraq now to bomb innocent civilians when US occupies Iraq. Strange to say, under the Saddam regime, there was no Al Qaida. Al Qaida seems only exist where the regime being controlled by US. So we see no Al qaida in Syria and Iran. But they appears to attack ordinary people when the government either is controlled by US intelligence or supported by US intelligence. That’s why you see Al Qaida attacks in US, in Afghanistan, in Pakistan, in Iraq (after it is occupied by US). Because where they are protected by the intelligence, worked as a whip to beat people. When government want money and power, they beat the people with this whip (Al Qaida terror attack) People feel hurt then give up their civil rights and money to the government. DOJ got the Patriot Act and Pentagon got budget and Mid-east war.
	pfcem January 28th, 2009 at 5:56 pm Kat Hak Sung, False. Al Qaida (& other terrorist groups) was in Afghanistan, Pakistan, & Iraq prior to 9/11/01. They CONTROLLED Afghanistan, Pakistan ignored them & Iraq was actively supporting them.
	clark namias sfc ret January 29th, 2009 at 5:33 am can anyone remember when carter became president and what a mess we had in the service. even specical weapons unit were down for parts to our trucks!!! here comes our new president who looks to be doing just the same.
	dixie howell January 29th, 2009 at 10:12 am the us air force is obsolete n usless , thats why we ve a dozen carriers n more subs,
	John in Jacksonville January 29th, 2009 at 11:32 am You cannot defend America in the long term by military spending alone. You have to maintain the economic and R&D engine that makes that any spending possible. Our failure to do so is why we have Obama now to clean up the mess. It’s the Constitution-based balance at work. The Roman Empire? Rome’s succession of militant, incompetent leaders (and therefore their one-dimensional approach to priorities) is a large part of why they fell, so there’s still hope for the American empire. The past 8 years, we spent record amounts on the military, but let most of our manufacturing go to China. What kind of national defense strategy is that, especially if China is a potential adversary? Imagine a swordsman who does nothing but grind his sword for years, then wonders why his neighbors, who put in a lot of gym time and workshop time, now have more swords than he does, and can swing them faster and harder. Obama’s job is to rebuild and recover our economy and our national strength, and that doesn’t mean continuing the policies that got the US in this horrific mess in the first place. The economic meltdown was not an accident or an act of God, it was the result of policies pursued by the Government of the time. This isn’t Narnia, where you get power for nothing. Let’s support the new Commander in chief as he fights to salvage our most important weapons — the economy and industrial base — so that a future president can still afford bombers in 30 years, and not have to buy them from China.
	Chico January 29th, 2009 at 3:39 pm Mr. Gates said that the troops will be out of Iraq cities come June…he didn’t say that once they got out of the cities that they will be going back home…because they will not…they will probably be going to Afghanistan…where else can they go to remain proficient in the jobs.
	Gremlin January 29th, 2009 at 8:00 pm Dixiehowell… What do you base your “analysis” on that the USAF is obselete & useless? Without air superiority the ground-pounders don’t move, the ships don’t float and the support materials don’t roll. The Navy/Marine aviation units do a great job covering the backsides of the ships & landing zones, the Army aviation units perform the Combat Assault role with flair and the USAF fills the role of knocking out the other SOBs birds before they can reek havoc. My dad was WW2 Army Air Corps & talked about the lessons learned that without an Air Unit to keep the enemy away from the troops, ships & beaches you couldn’t win a war. Though times have changed, the mission hasn’t — Desert Shield/Storm proved that. Is the Air Force obselete? No, only the way it’s run — and that’s changing too.
	Rhyno327 January 30th, 2009 at 1:34 pm Isn’t this the reason we are building the JSF and F-22? Isn’t the B-2 good enough? Wat about the B1-B? The B-52 looks like it will be around another 20 yrs or so. The Iraq war is costing $10BILLION a month. Wat do you think will happen when we leave? They will start killing each other again. We are arming a pro-Iranian gov to boot…HELLO!!!! Wat a cluster F-ck.
	pfcem January 30th, 2009 at 5:59 pm Rhyno327, We are building the F-22 to replace the F-15. We are building the F-15 to replace the F-16, F/A-18 & AV-8. The Next-Gen Bomber will first replace the B-1, then some B-52s & POSSIBLY the B-2…
	truculentturtle January 30th, 2009 at 7:17 pm The irresponsible no holds bar spending and paying $350.00 for a bolt you could get at any hardware for $2.00 has come to roost. The economy is in the tank and so is budgets for every sector in government. Maybe a good swift kick in the pants of those power that be, is exactly what was needed. A rude wake up call to the boys in the pentagon that the taxpayers of this country have been bled enough. There is nothing wrong in judiciously culling programs that have little chance of succeeding and concentrating on those more realistic (for now). Take for example the New bomber program. The design as we speak is almost finalized and the current aircraft being built as a testbed for the propulsion system is taking shape. It will be a stop gap and some models will be produced, only; not as many as everyone wished for. The venerable B-52H will have to soldier on and on with yet other life extensions programs. F-16’s Block 50 will be delivered and B1-B Lancers will undergo some system upgrades and so on. If you think about it, its not such a bad proposition for the moment. This idea that we have to keep up with China at every step is a red herring.We mortgaged ourselves to the chinese to the eyeballs. we’re already playing nice to them out of not only embarrassment but necessity. We have to look at the bottom line and how we can maintain a discreet balance between doing the “Job” cost effectively, with a great percentage of success albeit with less glamorous and super tecked out equipment. Robert Gates will use a scalpel one hopes and not an axe when projects will be discarded. In my years in procurement; I have seen that pet projects never really die, they are resurrected in some form in a new life under new requirements. Brush off the dust and a new livery and voila…
	Kat Hak Sung February 15th, 2009 at 6:04 pm To pfcem 1/28 post. Yes, before 911, we call it Mujahiddem which was created and supported and trained by CIA and was controlled by CIA through the hand of Pakistan ISI. Quote, “Fictional Al Qaeda Al Qaeda is nothing more than an extension of the operatus linked to US intelligence that was allowed, by script, to remove itself as a rogue break away entity of the US government, allowed to de-compartmentalise from oversight, and was run instead by Gary Best, rogue black ops specialists for scripted activity outside of the US Government, with its funding being orchestrated through the Pakistani secret police, an entity of the US Government itself. – Tom Heneghan, 2004 Presidential Candidate, American Patriot and Federal Whistleblower.
	Charlie February 26th, 2009 at 2:41 am All I’ll say in addition to the other comments is that I’m glad that I do not live in Taiwan or Korea, and am retired. I look at Hong Kong as a harbinger of what optimistically may eventually happen to Taiwan.