Ideas

Four Lessons that Should Upend the Pentagon’s Five-Year Strategy

From the quick consumption of weapons in Ukraine to rising inflation, the current resourcing plan is untenable.

Policy

Biden Already Willing to Increase Recent Defense Spending Request

Just six weeks after requesting $773 billion for 2023, the Pentagon’s No. 2 acknowledges the military may need more money, due to inflation.

Ideas

Don’t Overinflate the Pentagon Budget

There are plenty of perennial problems draining the military’s coffers that need attention.

Exclusive Policy

Lawmakers Worry Pentagon Will ‘Shortchange’ INDOPACOM’s Budget Request

More than a dozen members of the House Armed Services Committee asked appropriators to bring the Pentagon’s 2023 spending proposal up to INDOPACOM’s request.

Policy

What Have US Special Operators Learned from the Ukraine War?

The Army, for one, is considering creating a special-operations drone specialty.

Policy

In About-Face, Army Expects to Shrink Next Year

Chief of Staff McConville says recruiters need to reach families whose children have not served.

Threats

New Budget Would Modify Planes, Pursue Hybrid Vehicles To Tackle Climate Change

The Pentagon’s 2023 proposal aims to reduce C-130 drag, modify KC-135 engines, and design a fuel-sipping airframe.

Policy

Flat Army Budget Request Would Fund a Smaller Force

Active-duty force set to shrink amid tight labor market as service leaders propose a 1.7% 2023 budget.

Policy

Navy Gets Budget Bump But Fleet Would Shrink Under Biden Request

Increasing spending by just 5 percent and cutting two dozen ships, the Navy asks for modest budget changes as it wraps up a new fleet plan expected to be heavy on uncrewed vessels.

Science & Tech

New Tech Budget Request is the Defense Department’s Largest Ever

Pursuing China, the Pentagon aims to bump spending for artificial intelligence and 5G.

Policy

Space Force Gets Roughly 40% Increase in Biden Request

A constellation of satellites will track ground vehicles, improve launch trajectories, and better nuclear command-and-control.

Policy

Let Us Retire 50-Year Old Radar Planes, Air Force Asks Congress

The E-7 Wedgetail is the “leading candidate” to replace the oft-grounded E-3 Sentry, if Congress approves the president’s 2023 budget request.

Policy

More Nuclear, Less Ground Attack in Biden’s Air Force Budget Request

The 2023 spending proposal calls for retiring 150 planes, shifting funds, and reconfiguring for possible war with China or Russia.

Policy

Biden’s $773B Request for Pentagon Stays Focused on China

As war rages in Europe, 2023 budget proposal continues the military’s shift from ground combat to high-tech weapons.