Friday, April 19, 2024
Friday, April 19, 2024
The first day of the Trump administration leads off this Friday INSIDER Daily Digest.
News on who will be running the various Pentagon offices during the Trump administration's first 100 days:
Pentagon names 'acting' leadership positions during Trump transition
Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work on Thursday released a list of officials designated to serve in "acting" capacities for a host of Pentagon leadership positions as many Obama administration appointees exit government service in advance of the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump on Friday.
Document: DOD memo on 'acting' leadership positions during Trump transition
The latest SBIRS satellite is now scheduled for launch tonight:
SBIRS GEO-3 launch delayed; Air Force soliciting sources for future satellites
The third geosynchronous Space-Based Infrared System satellite slated to launch last night from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL, was scrubbed due to "a violation of Eastern Range safety criteria."
Getting two nuclear weapon systems to have common components won't be easy:
Air Force-Navy study finds total nuclear commonality unrealistic
A joint assessment by the Air Force and Navy found pursuing full commonality for the future Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent and the Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile is "not feasible or practical," the Pentagon told lawmakers in a report delivered last month.
Continued coverage of McCain's 'Restoring American Power' white paper:
McCain pitches $100B, five-year increase above current plan to Army accounts
Sen. John McCain's (R-AZ) proposed blueprint to hike U.S. military spending would boost the Army's budget by $100 billion between fiscal years 2018 and 2022 compared to the Defense Department's current forecast, including $67 billion to increase the size of the service and buy additional weapon systems.
McCain proposes $55 billion increase for Air Force modernization in five-year blueprint
Sen. John McCain's proposed Pentagon blueprint to hike the U.S. military budget would boost Air Force modernization spending by $55 billion between fiscal years 2018 and 2022 compared to the Defense Department's current forecast, including $11 billion for accelerated Joint Strike Fighter procurement and an additional $7.6 billion for a new penetrating counter-air capability.
More news from today's Inside the Air Force:
Boeing predicts more upgrades as Air Force stretches B-52 into 2050s
As the Air Force prepares to operate its workhorse B-52 bomber into the 2050s, aircraft manufacturer Boeing expects the service to consider a slate of capability and sustainability upgrades to keep the aging bomber flying past its anticipated service life.
AFSAB study indicates AC-130J laser can serve offensive-defensive role
Mounting a laser on an AC-130J gunship would boost the Air Force Special Operations Command's offensive and defensive capabilities, the service's scientific advisors found in a recent study, confirming the command's hope of pursuing a dual-purpose weapon down the road.