Policies and politics affecting military programs

CSA praises doomed C-27J’s role in Afghanistan

By Matthew Cox on Friday, March 9th, 2012

CSA praises doomed C-27J’s role in Afghanistan

Gen. Odierno told senators that the airlifters were working fine, but nonetheless had to go away for money reasons.

A ray of light for the Iron Triangle

By Philip Ewing on Thursday, March 8th, 2012

A ray of light for the Iron Triangle

House Speaker John Boehner thinks Congress can get a deficit deal. Is there a chance?

A cautious approach to Syria

By Philip Ewing on Wednesday, March 7th, 2012

A cautious approach to Syria

Despite calls for action to end the bloodshed, a Syrian campaign does not seem imminent.

USMC 3-star: “Party crashing” in the Pacific

By Michael Hoffman on Tuesday, March 6th, 2012

USMC 3-star: “Party crashing” in the Pacific

The Marine Corps considers its nautical future under the new defense strategy that calls for focus on the Pacific.

CSBA: These trends should inform ground vehicle buys

By John Reed on Tuesday, March 6th, 2012

CSBA: These trends should inform ground vehicle buys

The Army and Marine Corps must figure out what kind of environments they will be fighting in over the next three decades or so and purchase ground vehicles that are best suited for that task, says a DC-based think-tank.

The year that never was

By Philip Ewing on Friday, March 2nd, 2012

The year that never was

Congress may already have quietly given up trying to resolve sequestration before the last minute.

AFA: Air Force may get used UH-1Ns from Marines

By John Reed on Friday, February 24th, 2012

AFA: Air Force may get used UH-1Ns from Marines

After plans to replace its venerable UH-1N Hueys, the Air Force’s fleet could actually grow in the coming years.

AFA: Air Force may sell C-27Js, Block 30 Global Hawks

By John Reed on Friday, February 24th, 2012

AFA: Air Force may sell C-27Js, Block 30 Global Hawks

The Air Force could try to deal some of the new small airlifters and UAVs it’s retiring for budget reasons.

AFA: New bomber program ‘underway’

By John Reed on Friday, February 24th, 2012

AFA: New bomber program ‘underway’

The Air Force has kicked off its effort to field a new long range bomber in the 2020s, service officials say.

AFA: Eglin’s trainer F-35s could fly in coming weeks

By John Reed on Thursday, February 23rd, 2012

AFA: Eglin’s trainer F-35s could fly in coming weeks

The Air Force’s top training officer says it may not be long before the Panhandle’s training jets are cleared to fly.

AFA: Cutting C-27J was a ‘particularly’ tough choice

By John Reed on Thursday, February 23rd, 2012

AFA: Cutting C-27J was a ‘particularly’ tough choice

CSAF said it was especially tough to mothball the Air Force’s small new airlifters, but it had to be done.

AFA: ‘Ruthless discipline’ needed for modernization efforts

By John Reed on Thursday, February 23rd, 2012

AFA: ‘Ruthless discipline’ needed for modernization efforts

Service and industry officials must do whatever it takes to deliver the Air Force’s priority programs, CSAF says.

Standing alone

By Philip Ewing on Friday, February 17th, 2012

Standing alone

The Iron Triangle contemplates heading ‘right off a cliff,’ and no one coming to its rescue.

USAF says adios to MQ-X

By John Reed on Wednesday, February 15th, 2012

USAF says adios to MQ-X

Just weeks after the Air Force canceled the Block 30 Global Hawk drone, the Air Force’s top intel officer revealed that the service won’t to develop the MQ-X next-gen UAV.

SecDef to Congress: Play time is over

By Philip Ewing on Tuesday, February 14th, 2012

SecDef to Congress: Play time is over

Panetta tells lawmakers that they hold the key to saving the Defense Department, but no one seems very optimistic.

The Pentagon’s program panacea: Delays

By Philip Ewing on Monday, February 13th, 2012

The Pentagon’s program panacea: Delays

DoD hopes it can save many programs by pushing them back, but can it keep them out of the death spiral?

Populist headwinds could buffet the defense budget

By Philip Ewing on Friday, February 10th, 2012

Populist headwinds could buffet the defense budget

Opponents say many Americans support still more reductions to Pentagon spending.

CSBA: Pentagon must plan for more cuts

By John Reed on Wednesday, February 8th, 2012

CSBA: Pentagon must plan for more cuts

Get ready — here comes the sequestration monster again

Running to stand still

By Philip Ewing on Friday, February 3rd, 2012

Running to stand still

Another day, another proposal to protect DoD’s budget, another round of deadlock.

HASC Chairman on BRAC: ‘Kill it’

By Michael Hoffman on Thursday, February 2nd, 2012

HASC Chairman on BRAC: ‘Kill it’

U.S. Rep. Buck McKeon tells the Pentagon he has no plans of standing up another Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission.