Highlights from Inside the Pentagon

Here are some must-reads from this week's edition of Inside the Pentagon:

Missile Defense Agency Director Lt. Gen. Sam Greaves says it will take at least six years for the Defense Department to field a capability for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter to contribute to missile defense missions.

1. Full story: MDA director says F-35 missile defense capability 'six to seven years' out

The United States is projected to spend $3.325 trillion on defense over the next five years -- and nearly $7 trillion over the next decade -- amid a period of historic deficit increases, according to a new report from the Congressional Budget Office.

2. Full story: CBO projects defense spending will top $3.3 trillion over next five years

A top U.S. military officer said there is an "extremely high" risk that hypersonic strike weapon technology being developed in China and Russia could proliferate to North Korea and Iran, a determination that is fueling efforts by the Defense Department to focus development on a new capability to defeat ultra-fast, maneuvering missiles.

3. Full story: MDA: 'Extremely high' risk that North Korea, Iran obtain hypersonic missile