Pentagon Says Iran Ops Cost $29 B, up $4 B.
Pentagon Comptroller Jay Hurst tells HAC-D that the operations in Iran have cost about $29 billion to date, up from the previous $25 billion figure due to updated costs for repairing/replacing equipment and costs of keeping troops in theater.
Solid Rocket Motor Sector Remains Defense Industry’s Most Dynamic
The solid rocket motor business remains the most dramatic area of the defense industrial base.... https://t.co/AvrJK79nJz
Rejecting Mary As
(bravely and correctly) I hate the concept of the new Pride and Prejudice adaptation where Mary is the heroine. Sometimes we need to accept works of arts where homely characters are annoying and stupid, and not misunderstood.
Munitions Rebuild After Iran War Takes Months‑Years
Hegseth said it will take "months and years" to reconstitute US munitions expended during the war with Iran, noting that the timeline depends on the munitions. (I would like to see the timelines, and how those timelines change depending on reconciliation/supplemental...)
Defense Funding Lagging, Floodgates Soon to Open
Hegseth says about $26 billion of the $154 billion for defense in last year's reconciliation bill has been put under contract, but "the floodgates are about to open." “You’re starting a bit late," SASC Chair Wicker says, adding that OMB had...
Hegseth's Testimony: China and Homeland Dominate, Russia Absent
Another fun bit of context is that the Iran mentions are all in context of Hegseth criticizing NATO allies for their lack of support of US operations against Iran.
Navy's Top Conference Ends as Budget Talks Intensify
Doing this right as the Navy’s biggest conference ends, after Phelan spent the last three days laying out the Navy’s priorities to industry and media, and amid Phelan meeting with lawmakers on the budget, is some wild timing:
Vought: $1.5T Needed to Triple Defense Industrial Capacity
Speaking in front of the House Budget Committee, OMB director Russ Vought says the $1.5T defense budget is necessary to enable multiyear agreements "for the industrial base to double and triple capabilities, and build more facilities, not just add shifts."
Ideal Holy Week Reading for Today's
Kind of a perfect Holy Week read so far (especially in These Times ™️) https://t.co/FbjX30pJqj
Japanese Tourists Stick to a Few US Hotspots
Lots of discourse happening now about how Japan loves the “real America” but most Japanese tourists will never visit the US heartland. Almost all tourism is confined to Hawaii, NYC, California, Boston (in the same way most Americans confine tourism...
Marine Corps F-35Bs Arrive Radar‑Free Amid APG‑85 Delays
SCOOP: Marine Corps F-35Bs are set to deliver in Lot 17 without radars due to delays with the APG-85. Starting in Lot 18, all F-35s delivered to the U.S. military will be awaiting a radar. With @michaeldmarrow and @Diana_Stancy : https://t.co/6HIqluDOZx
Trump Claims Defense Firms Will Quadruple Weapon Production, Details Vague
Statement from Trump after meeting with RTX, Lockheed, Northrop, Boeing, L3Harris and Honeywell on munitions. Trump says: "They have agreed to quadruple Production of the 'Exquisite Class' Weaponry" but unclear what is new from previously announced agreements.
Lockheed CEO Rules
Lockheed CEO Taiclet says LMT never considered spinning off part of biz to allow for direct DoD ownership stake: L3Harris "didn't have, I guess, apparently, the resource to manage the scaling themselves." If regulators had allowed LMT to buy Aerojet "we...
Boeing Returns Defense HQ to St. Louis, F/A-XX Future Uncertain
Boeing just announced the move of its defense unit HQ back to St. Louis, where McDonnell Douglas was headquartered (and where Boeing continues to build fighters and weapons). Industry always welcomes a SecDef visit but real question for workforce will be...