The sale of conventional military weapons across the world was nearly $37 billion in 2004—about $8 billion higher than the previous year, according to a recent Congressional Research Service report. The US share was about 34 percent, less than in most recent years. Russia came in second, with Britain, Israel, and France ringing in at three, four, and five. The big buyer among developing countries? China. Act surprised.
Demonstrating capabilities needed for its Agile Combat Employment concept of operating from scattered locations with a minimal logistics footprint, the Air Force flew an MQ-9 Reaper remotely-piloted aircraft across the Pacific, operating with none of its usual launch-and-recovery gear and with non-expert ground crews. It required only seven people and…