We'll have a more detailed look at winners and losers the US Defense Secretary Robert Gates outlined today, but I thought it might help to get the discussion going and for those of you who weren't watching it live to list the biggies now...
- F-35B will go on a "two year probation" and move to the "back of the line" on development behind the "C" and "A" model. More F/A-18EF Super Hornets will be purchased and older F/A-18 Hornets will have their service lives extended for the Marine Corps to make up for the "B" delay or cut.
- EFV is gone. Savings will be used to upgrade the AAV with more armor, better electronics and weaponry.
- Army SLAMRAAM canceled.
- The Non-Line of Sight Launch System gone.
- Drawdown by 27K Soldiers and up to 20K Marines from end strength in 2015
What's in -- Air Force:
- More Air Force Reapers.
- More EELVs.
- Modernize F-15 radars.
- New long range nuclear strike bomber -- that can be "optionally piloted."
Army:
- More money for Army suicide prevention.
- Modernize the Abrams, Bradley and Stryker vehicle.
- More MC-12 surveillance aircraft.
- Quicker development of Grey Eagle UAV.
- Quicker development of vertical UAS.
Navy:
- More money for jammers.
- More money to upgrade and refit Marine Corps equipment used up in war.
- More money and accelerated development of an unmanned strike capability.
- Life extension for 150 F-18s.
- New ship classes, including a destroyer, LCS, oilers and ocean surveillance craft.
Missile Defense:
- More long range interceptors.
- More radar sites in Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
Gates said the 2012 DoD budget request will be $553 billion, $13 billion less than planned in the previous FYDP. He added that the new FYDP numbers are $78 billion less than previously planned.
"We think we have tightened up a good bit," Gates said. "We think this is a sustainable budget."
