Defense Budget Finally Out

So, the details are out, and we have a big, confusing, and sprawling story from a big confusing, and sprawling building, the Pentagon.

Here are some links, and some things that I find noteworthy.

Specific programs:

With $439 million budgeted, the USAF is definitely going full speed on the tanker replacement bidding.

The Next Generation Bomber and the F-136 alternate JSF engine are on the chopping block, and the Gerald Ford class aircraft carrier has been delayed a year to work out the bugs on its electric catapults.

Star Wars takes a hit, with both the multiple kill vehicle and the airborne laser being canceled.

UAV's did very well, with the Raven (shown) getting over 700 orders.

Aviation:

The DEW Line has a rundown.

Classified:

The Pentagon classified budget is now, up above $50 billion, which, on its own, makes the black programs something like the 3rd largest military budget in the world.


US Army:
spending on Helos is up, as are both unmanned vehicles and the number of active duty soldiers.

Navy:

We already know the story, cancellation of the DDG-100, restart of the Brukes, and continued procurement of the LCS, more here, here, and here.

Short version, it's a generally down, but the Navy has done OK.


USAF

Basically, talk to the deer.

The USAF did not fare well, with the end of the F-22 and C-17 production lines, underfunding of the Air Force One replacement, the Joint Dual-Role Air Dominance Missile (JDRADM), and the follow on to the Predator drone, and the cancellation of the TSAT satellite system.

Cost Guard:

Not the Pentagon, it's technically in the Department of Commerce, but its budget is up by about 3%.