Defense Secretary Robert Gates revealed the Obama Administration's restructuring of the Pentagon's top weapons priorities.
There was a lot of information thrown out in the Gates press briefing, but the biggest talking points are likely to be the cuts:
- Stop the growth of Army Brigade Combat Teams (BCT) at 45 versus 48
- Retire 250 of the oldest Air Force tactical fighter aircraft in FY10.
- End production of the F-22 fighter at 187.
- Not pursue a development program for a follow-on Air Force bomber until we have a better understanding of the need, the requirement, and the technology.
- Reduce the Navy's carrier force to 10 carriers after 2040.
- Delay the CG-X next generation cruiser program.
- Delay amphibious ship and sea-basing programs.
- End the DDG-1000 destroyer program with the third ship.
- "Complete" production of the C-17 airlifter program this fiscal year with the 205 already in the force and currently in production.
- Terminate the VH-71 presidential helicopter program.
- Terminate the Air Force Combat Search and Rescue X (CSAR-X) helicopter program.
- Terminate the $26 billion Transformational Satellite (TSAT) program.
- Cancel the planned increase the number of current ground-based interceptors in Alaska.
- Cancel the second airborne laser (ABL) prototype aircraft.
- Terminate the Multiple Kill Vehicle (MKV) program.
- Cancel the vehicle component of the Army’s Future Combat Systems (FCS) program.
- Reduce the number of support service contractors from our current 39% to 26% and replace them with as many as 30,000 full-time government employees.
You can read Secretary Gates' Budget Press Briefing below.
Click full screen to make it easier to read.
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