If the Air Force values the nuclear deterrent mission “it must change its ways” and properly recapitalize its nuclear missile, bomber, and command and control infrastructure, said Franklin Miller, former National Security Council defense and arms control director. “It appears, at least to this observer, that the Air Force leadership simply does not care about its nuclear deterrence,” said Miller during a May 13 talk on Capitol Hill sponsored by AFA, the National Defense Industrial Association, and the Reserve Officers Association. “The modernization of the strategic bomber force is in disarray with the [Long-Range Strike Bomber] program slipping to the right and … having an explicitly non-nuclear role” in its planned initial operational capability. In addition, Minuteman III ICBMs will “become increasingly unreliable” without serious propulsion, guidance, and infrastructure upgrades, sacrificing their credibility, said Miller. The United States is “blessed as a nation” to have at least one leg of its nuclear triad in the hands of the Navy, “whose dedication to excellence” keeping up the submarine-launched ballistic missile capability “is legendary,” he added.
The head of AIr Combat Command isn't sure the cost of operating the F-35 will hit the desired $25,000 per hour by 2025, and he's headed out to meetings to see what can be done to make it happen. He's also concerned that China will beat the U.S. to 6th-generation…