Air Force
Bombs Away? Nope — Bombers Here to Stay!
Defense procurement is like the tides. Waves of reform are followed by waves of profligacy. Repeat, war infinitum. Take the Next-Generation Bomber, for example. We were just getting used to it, even calling it, almost affectionately, the ”Next-Gen Bomber” when the Air Force pronounced it dead two years ago.
But – surprise! …
“There is no known design issue that cannot be overcome by effective engineering.”
For Want of a Nail…
It’s an ancient proverb about military snafus wrought by small oversights or neglect that has been recited in various forms for centuries. But the same thing, believe it or not, can still happen with the Pentagon’s 21st …
Up in the Mushroom Clouds Somewhere, Curtis LeMay Is Smiling
The directorate director at the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center Nuclear Capabilities Directorate’s Nuclear College has just announced he’s launched an advanced nuclear concepts course. (“Directorate director”? “Nuclear Weapons Center Nuclear Capabilities Directorate’s Nuclear College?” Department of Redundancy Department: your …
The (S)Upper House
As least that’s what senators like to think of the Senate. They refer disparagingly to the House as “the other body,” as if they’re brushing crumbs from their lap after some fund-raising dinner. Senators – many of whom view themselves as Presidents-in-waiting – get to ratify treaties and confirm top Administration …
Military Commanders Fighting for Resources as Mission Demands Grow
Military commanders are lining up to tell Congress they don’t have enough resources to accomplish their many missions as ongoing defense budget cuts catch up to those in uniform and hinder mission success.
President Obama …
F-22 Crash: The Widow Sues
Jeff Haney’s widow has sued the builders of the Air Force’s hottest warplane, contending its defective oxygen-breathing system killed her husband in November 2010. Anna Haney has filed suit against Lockheed Martin, Boeing, …
Global Hawk: “Thar She Blow$!”
In a recent Battleland post, Mark Thompson noted the cost of a crashed Global Hawk: $72.8 million according to the Air Force. Some will automatically think that price equates to the unit cost for the drone. As they say, that’s …
Key Point: Bunker-Busters Come In Both Small and Large Sizes
The reports from Israel that it is seeking 5,000-pound GBU-28 bunker-busters for possible use against Iran makes for exciting reading. One problem: they can’t even dent Iran’s most protected sites. The reports suggest war is …
$72.8 million
Drones Flying In Really Close Formation
It has always been amazing to hang out at the rear of an Air Force refueling tanker as the boom extends to provide fuel to thirsty jet fighters below. Flying at hundreds of knots in close formation is a delicate, and dangerous, …
“Keep Your Hands Off That Dial!”
Remember Mom or Dad telling you not to fiddle with the car radio while driving? They didn’t want you running off the road.
It can get far more serious when you’re flying an Air Force fighter and you’re distracted …