DefenceTalkAffordability remains the priority for the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter, the Pentagon’s program executive officer for the Defense Department’s most expensive procurement told Congress yesterday. Air Force Lt. Gen. Christopher C. Bogdan told the Senate Armed Services Committee’s airland subcommittee that the program has made progress, but he acknowledged it is enormously complicated […]https://www.defencetalk.com/affordability-remains-priority-for-joint-strike-fighter-program-47608/

DefenceTalkThe U.S. Air Force awarded Raytheon a firm-fixed-price $81.7 million option for Lot 6 on the Lot 5 contract for the production and delivery of 202 MALD-J jammers and containers. The contract also includes a 10-year warranty. The contract was awarded in Raytheon’s first quarter of 2013. “MALD-J adds a jamming capability to the current […]https://www.defencetalk.com/raytheon-contracted-for-miniature-air-launched-decoy-and-jammer-units-47599/

DefenceTalkThe Air Force will see few force structure changes this year, but readiness and modernization accounts will be in flux this year and next, Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley said here today. The secretary also told the Defense Writers’ Group that now is the time for another base realignment and closure process. Readiness and […]https://www.defencetalk.com/readiness-modernization-in-flux-air-force-secretary-says-47577/

DefenceTalkThe top leaders from Army, Navy, Marine and Air Force Reserve and National Guard were on Capitol Hill here April 17 to provide statements and answer questions regarding their FY14 budget proposals. Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., the chairwoman of the full U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., the chairman of the Subcommittee […]https://www.defencetalk.com/reserve-guard-leaders-discuss-fy14-budget-47544/

DefenceTalkThe Air Force told Congress yesterday the budget sequester will lead to a marked decrease in force readiness by October, including reduced flying hours and unit stand-downs which will in turn lead to long-term degradation of combat readiness. In a joint statement submitted to the committee, Lt. Gen. Burton M. Field, the Air Force’s deputy […]https://www.defencetalk.com/services-outline-air-combat-assets-in-light-of-budget-cuts-47532/

DefenceTalkA few months after the D-Day invasion in June 1944, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower surveyed the Normandy beaches with his son. “You’d never get away with this if you didn’t have air supremacy,” then 2nd Lt. John Eisenhower told his father. “Without air supremacy,” the elder Eisenhower replied, “I wouldn’t be here.” The United States […]https://www.defencetalk.com/air-superiority-advantage-over-enemy-skies-for-60-years-47489/

DefenceTalkThe Air Force’s $114.1 billion fiscal 2014 budget request will provide for the most capable airpower arm possible, the Air Force chief of staff said here today. Testifying with Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley, Gen. Mark A. Welsh III told the House Armed Services Committee his service’s portion of DOD’s fiscal 2014 […]https://www.defencetalk.com/budget-request-provides-for-best-air-force-possible-welsh-says-47492/

DefenceTalkThe shadow of sequestration in 2013 and ongoing fiscal uncertainty will affect critical programs and objectives for years to come, Air Force officials said yesterday at a Pentagon briefing on the service’s fiscal year 2014 budget request. While Air Force officials have scrambled to minimize impacts on readiness and people, the bow-wave of reductions, deferments, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/air-force-budget-official-outlines-fiscal-2014-funding-request-47452/

DefenceTalkUpon release of the Air Force Fiscal Year 2014 budget here April 10, the services’ senior leaders said the shadow of sequestration in 2013 and on-going fiscal uncertainty will affect critical programs and objectives for years to come. While Air Force officials have scrambled to minimize impacts on readiness and people, the bow-wave of reductions, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/fy-14-budget-sequester-puts-key-air-force-objectives-at-risk-47441/

DefenceTalkAn F-35B Lightning II completed the first short takeoff and vertical landing during a test mission at night to expand the flight envelope and deliver capability to the warfighter. Marine Corps test pilot Maj. C.R. Clift conducted the flight April 2 to gather data on the helmet and lighting conditions for night time operations.The test […]https://www.defencetalk.com/f-35b-conducts-first-night-time-vertical-landing-47397/