http://n.yam.com/cna/international/201002/20100227660230.html
印度下年度預算計畫 國防預算增8.13%

中央社╱中央社 2010-02-27 12:25

（中央社記者何宏儒新德里27日專電）印度2010-11會計年度國防預算為1兆4734億4000萬盧比（約320.1億美元），年增率為8.13%；其中4成用於印度120萬陸軍。

印度財政部長穆克吉（Pranab Mukherjee）昨天向印度人民院（Lok Sabha）提出今年4月1日開始的下一會計年度預算報告時指出，財政部提出將國防預算增至1兆4734億4000萬盧比。

印度本年度修正後的國防預算為1兆3626億4000萬盧比，新會計年度增加1108億盧比。

穆克吉表示，為確保邊防及人民生命財產安全，推升新年度國防預算。他說，其中6000億盧比的預算將用於資本支出。

在2010-11會計年度國防預算中，陸軍獲5899億5000萬盧比，占國防預算最大部分，較前一會計年度增加43億9000萬盧比；海軍獲945億5000萬盧比，略增1億6000萬盧比；空軍獲1580億3000萬盧比，增加52億9000萬盧比。

另外，印度國防研究暨發展組織（DefenceResearch and Development Organisation,DRDO）獲526億盧比預算，較本會計年度增加88億1000萬盧比。不過，新會計年度匡列的兵工廠預算僅199億9000萬盧比，較本會計年度大幅減少183億5000萬盧比。

http://www.dsti.net/Information/News/56661
美國空軍公佈2011財年預算案
2010-02-08

　　[據美國《航宇日報》2010年2月2日報導]總額1708億美元的空軍2011財年預算案於2月1日公開，其中包括208億美元的海外應急行動（OCO）預算，“藍色基線”預算是1196億美元。此外，空軍還申請了61億美元的2010財年戰爭追加撥款，這使得空軍2010財年的預算增加到1660億美元。
　　空軍預算主管Alfred Flowers表示，2011財年的預算案比2010財年的增加了2%，其中武器系統採辦從去年的227億美元增加到242億美元，這些增長部分是因為一些研究專案在2011年將進入採辦階段。空軍預算案“藍色基線”的20%是武器系統採辦，這其中20%用於維持已有的機隊。
　　2011年的變化包括用於支援作戰的無人飛行系統（UAS）戰鬥空中巡邏（CAP）的需求量大增。空軍原計劃購買50架CAP飛行器，現在增加到65架，而目前已經部署了的約30架。在2011財年149架飛行器的採辦要求中，52架是UAS，包括4架諾•格的“全球鷹”高空場航時無人機和48架通用原子航空系統公司“捕食者”無人機。這48架MQ-9“捕食者”數量是2010財年需求量的兩倍，其中12架屬於戰爭開銷。
　　空軍將在2011年啟動輕型靈活飛行器計畫，包括15架飛行器的採辦，這些小而強悍的空運飛行器將會支持在阿富汗的作戰行動。一個夥伴國需要的小型攻擊飛行器系統的採辦專案也將在2012年開始。下一代轟炸機專案在2012年前不太可能正式啟動，國防部在2011年要求投入2億美元研究工業基礎，從2011年到2015年一共撥出17億美元。
　　空軍還要購買更多C-130，這些將通過美國特種作戰司令部的合同轉化為AC-130J型，總共25~33架。這將是第一批部署到空軍的AC-130J，空軍目前的型號是AC-130H/U型。空軍還會通過美國陸軍的合同為特種部隊購買H-60並轉化為HH-60G“鋪路鷹”型。一共需要6架“鋪路鷹”，有3架在藍色基線內，還有3架是追加的，此外2010財年已經購買了4架。這是國防部利用現有平臺調整“鋪路鷹”戰鬥搜索與救援直升機隊結構戰略的延續，下一代系統的競爭計畫在去年已經夭折。
　　UH-1N替換方面，空軍只要了6400萬美元，適當的採辦計畫預計2012年展開，將調整用於核運輸護航和某些VIP運輸的直升機隊結構。新直升機預計2015年形成初始作戰能力，所以有可能是一個現貨平臺。
　　預算中的一大塊是KC-135替代機競爭的投入，包括2011年的8.66億美元，2012年的12億，2013年的29億，2014年的36億和2015年的35億。Flowers表示國防部仍舊希望在本月底發佈最終的競標提案要求，並於年末授予開發合同。
　　對空運機隊來說，空軍計畫採購8架C-130J（其中一些將是武裝型），8架C-27，用於C-5的7套換發裝備和10套航電升級裝備，還有用於已有C-130的10套航電現代化專案（AMP）裝備。空軍官員表示他們計畫繼續實施221架C-130H2/2.5/3飛機的航電現代化升級項目。預算還包括2套聯合監視目標攻擊雷達系統的新發動機，這表明諾•格的該專案還沒被終結，雖然空軍的支持力度很小。
　　聯合空-面遠距導彈也要正式重啟生產，這款洛•馬的隱身飛行巡航導彈在飛行試驗出現一連串問題後就停止了生產，官方稱已做修正。2011年需要177枚導彈。
　　最後，空軍將聯合攻擊戰鬥機F-35的購買量削減到22架，這樣可以讓飛行試驗推遲進行。另外，國防部計畫再次終止JSF換發F136的工作。（中國航空工業發展研究中心  劉亞威）

http://big5.xinhuanet.com/gate/big5/news.xinhuanet.com/mil/2010-02/05/content_12936574.htm
英智庫炒作中印軍費大幅增加 我專家駁斥 
2010年02月05日 09:14:53 　來源：環球時報
 

    據2月5日出版的《環球時報》報道，英國智庫國際戰略研究所3日公布年度《全球軍力平衡報告》，對全球軍費支出進行解讀。報告稱，西方國家軍費支出進入下行通道，而以中國為代表的亞太國家軍費開支卻在“繼續大幅增加”。

    據法新社報道，報告稱，全球防務支出保持穩定，從2006年的1.3萬億美元增加到2008年的1.55萬億美元，2009年的數字可能更高。報告認為，與西方國家軍費開支進入下行狀態形成鮮明對比的是，以中國和印度為代表的亞洲國家從全球經濟衰退中迅速復蘇，軍費開支將持續上揚。“印度和中國在國防預算中繼續保持兩位數增長……印度國防開支2009年增加21%，而中國官方公布的2009年度財政預算包括了15%的軍費增長”。

    報告發表後在西方引起關注。“美國之音”援引華盛頓智囊機構卡托研究所外交政策研究主任普雷布爾的話說，從這份報告看，中國、印度以及巴西等新興國家軍費確實在各自地區、乃至全球范圍內表現得日益活躍，但尚未影響到美國在全球軍力平衡中所起的絕對主導性作用。

    中國人民大學金燦榮教授4日接受《環球時報》記者採訪時表示，這個報告中提到的中國軍費增長的數字沒有問題，是中國官方公布的。但中國軍費以這樣的速度增長是在為過去軍費投入過低還債。金燦榮強調，即使這樣，中國的軍費開支不到GDP的2%，在世界大國中是除日本之外最低的。

    金燦榮說，近年來，西方媒體和一些智庫始終在說，亞洲軍費在增加，歐洲軍費在下降，字裏行間有意無意透露出亞洲軍費增長和隱形的亞洲軍備競賽都是源于中國，這在一定程度上渲染了“中國威脅論”。（本報駐英國特約記者 伊 文 本報特約記者 盧夢之 本報記者 劉 揚）

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100203/wl_afp/worldmilitarysecurityeconomyiiss_20100203133244
Asia bolsters defences as West feels pinch: IISS

by Michael Thurston Michael Thurston – Wed Feb 3, 8:16 am ET
LONDON (AFP) – Asian states led by China and India are surging ahead with military spending as they recover strongly from the global slowdown, while Europe and the US feel the pinch, a study said Wednesday.

The US military remains "under severe strain" due to ongoing Iraq operations and its 30,000-strong surge in Afghanistan, said the respected annual "Military Balance" report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).

Britain, the United States' main ally in both Iraq and Afghanistan, faces a particular challenge as it grapples to pay for its military and draw down a massive budget deficit.

"In light of severe funding constraints, the emphasis on partnerships, divisions of labour and alliances will certainly become important," said IISS chief John Chipman, launching the report.

In the United States, after defence spending almost doubled under the administration of former president George W. Bush, a budget deficit of 12.5 percent in 2009 "marked the end of this phase of rising defence spending.

"Both (President Barack) Obama and (Defence Secretary Robert) Gates have signalled that fiscal realities will necessitate a dramatic re-prioritisation within defence spending.

"The US military is still under severe strain," the 490-page report noted.

The report comes a day after Obama defied China by standing firm on plans to meet the Dalai Lama, firmly rejecting Chinese pressure to snub him as rows escalate between Washington and Beijing.

The IISS chief also noted recent tensions between the US and Chinese navies.

"Defining ways in which the two navies might acceptably operate in areas near to China would be a good subject for the military-to-military talks... that unfortunately can easily be placed in jeopardy when the countries find themselves in a political dispute, especially over Taiwan," he said.

Russia's military ambitions have been hit hard by a 7.5 percent GDP contraction in 2009, said the report, adding that a 2007-2015 reprioritisation programme "will be replaced with a new 10-year plan starting in 2011."

Asia's giants will, however, power ahead militarily.

"In contrast to developments in advanced economies, both India and China have maintained their recent trend of double-digit increases in defence spending," it said.

India boosted defence spending by 21 percent in 2009 following the November 2008 Mumbai attacks, it noted, adding: "Other Asian states, such as Australia, Indonesia and Singapore have also posted increases."

In Europe, massive stimulus packages contributed to an increase in budget deficits, which ballooned to 6.2 percent of GDP in the eurozone, while Britain is expected to have recorded a deficit of 11.6 percent of GDP, it said.

"When the time comes to redress these fiscal imbalances, discretionary spending will come under considerable pressure and defence is likely to suffer," said the IISS report.

Among European NATO member states, only Norway and Denmark are likely to increase defence spending in 2010, and most other countries will do well to increase budgets in line with inflation or match existing budget levels.

The IISS meanwhile warned of the changing nature of conflict -- notably the rise of cyberwarfare. "Future state on state conflict may be characterised by the use of so-called asymmetric techniques," said Chipman.

"Chief among these may be the use of cyber-warfare to disable a country?s infrastructure, meddle with the integrity of another country?s internal military data, try to confuse its financial transactions or to accomplish any number of other possibly crippling aims," he added.

http://tw.news.yahoo.com/article/url/d/a/100203/19/1zy7y.html
亞洲經濟復甦中印大幅追加軍費 歐美反縮水
 更新日期:2010/02/03 16:20 林仟懿
（法新社倫敦3日電） 最新研究顯示，亞洲國家由全球經濟衰退中強勁復甦，軍事支出也大幅成長，其中又以中國與印度為首，歐洲及美國則在軍事經費上勒緊荷包。

國際戰略研究所（IISS）頗受重視的年度「全球軍力平衡報告」指出，美軍因為進行中的伊拉克戰爭與阿富汗增兵3萬人而仍然「狀況嚴重吃緊」。

美國在伊拉克及阿富汗的主要盟友英國，努力設法支付軍費並壓低巨額的預算赤字，也面臨格外艱難的挑戰。

報告說：「就國防及安全經費而言，金融危機的衝擊在各地與各國都不同。」報告並提到，俄羅斯一項軍備更新計畫已「實際上放棄」。

美國在前總統布希（George W.Bush）執政時，國防經費幾乎增加一倍，去年經費縮水12.5%，代表提高國防支出的階段劃下句點。

然而，報告指出，亞洲強權將大幅提高軍事支出。印度2008年11月發生孟買攻擊事件後，去年國防經費大增21%；「其他亞洲國家，例如澳洲、印尼與新加坡也都宣布追加國防預算。

http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4480477&c=SEA&s=TOP
U.S. Coast Guard Requests $10.08B For 2011
By SUSAN SCHEPT
Published: 1 Feb 2010 10:00

The U.S. Coast Guard has requested $10.08 billion for fiscal 2010, down 3.3 percent from the $10.42 billion appropriated for fiscal 2010.

As part of that budget request, the Coast Guard would get money to replace aging aircraft and ships, but also to decommission some of its older assets including the high-endurance cutters Hamilton, Chase, Rush, Jarvis and Acushnet.

Coast Guard officials believe they can get by without them, as two national security cutters should be operational by 2011: Bertholf was commissioned in August 2008, and Waesche should be commissioned by May.

"A disproportionate share of the depot-level maintenance budget is being used to sustain these aging assets," according to the budget request.

The recapitalization budget includes:

■ $538 million to construct the fifth NSC.

■ $240 million to produce four new fast-response cutters.

■ $156 million for C4ISR, logistics and acquisitions management.

■ $101 million for aircraft, including production of one HC-144A Ocean Sentry.

■ $83 million for shore facilities and aids to navigation, including $14 million for Coast Guard housing.

■ $45 million for the selection of a design for the offshore patrol cutter.

■ $42 million for 10 response boats-medium.

■ $36 million for installing an upgraded radio network, Rescue 21, in California, the Great Lakes region, Hawaii, Guam and Puerto Rico.

The budget requests $6.65 billion for Coast Guard operating expenses, a 1.3 percent increase over what was enacted for fiscal 2010. Operating expenses include operation and maintenance of Coast Guard assets, pay and allowances, bills, and training and recruiting.

As part of the operations budget request, the Coast Guard plans to decommission maritime safety and security teams in San Francisco; New Orleans; New York; Anchorage, Alaska; and Kings Bay, Ga. That $18.2 million in savings will be rolled into the Law Enforcement Detachment program to meet higher demand for those services in support of combatant commanders and counter-drug operations in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, according to the budget request.

The service also will retire four HU-25 Falcon aircraft; remove five HH-65s Dolphins from service; and close air facilities in Muskegon, Mich., and Waukegan, Ill.

http://www.dsti.net/Information/News/56545
美國海岸警衛隊2011財年申請預算100.8億美元
2010-02-02

    [據防務新聞網站2010年2月1日報導]2011財年，美國海岸警衛隊申請預算100.8億美元，相比2010財年的104.2億美元預算下降了3.3%。

    作為預算申請的一部分，海岸警衛隊將利用預算資金替換老舊的飛機和軍艦，但是還要退役一些相對更為老舊的裝備，退役的裝備包括大型巡邏艇“漢密爾頓”號、“蔡斯”號、“急流”號、“賈維斯”號以及“高仕利”號。海岸警衛隊官員認為儘管有艦艇退役，但是其依然能夠完成作戰任務，因為還將有2艘國家安全巡邏艇（NSC）在2011年將開始執行作戰任務，這2艘艦艇是2008年8月開始服役的“伯瑟夫”號以及將於2010年5月服役的“維希”號。

    預算申請稱，有過多的資金被用在了維護老舊裝備方面。

    2011財年預算申請中調整的部分包括：
?    申請5.38億美元建造第5艘國家安全巡邏艇。
?    申請2.4億美元建造4艘新型快速回應巡邏艇。
?    申請1.56億美元用於C4ISR、後勤與採辦管理。
?    申請1.01億美元用於採購飛機，其中包括製造1架HC-144A“海洋哨兵”號飛機。
?    申請0.83億美元用於採購岸上設備和導航輔助設備，其中包括1400萬美元用於海岸警衛隊的住房建設。
?    申請0.45億美元用於選擇近岸巡邏艇的設計方案。
?    申請0.42億美元用於採購10艘中型回應艇。
?    申請0.36億美元用於安裝並升級無線電網路、“Rescue 21”先進海上C3系統，安裝地點分別是加州、五大湖地區、夏威夷以及波多黎各。

    在2011財年預算申請中，海岸警衛隊申請66.5億美元用於其日常的正常運作，這一數位相比2010財年預算增長了1.3%。正常運作的費用包括海岸警衛隊設備的運行和維護、人員工資和津貼的發放以及訓練和徵兵等方面的開銷。

    在2011財年預算申請中，海岸警衛隊還提出讓三藩市、新奧爾良、紐約、安克雷奇、阿拉斯加以及金斯灣的海上安全和治安隊退役。節省下來的1820萬美元將被納入綜合執法分隊項目來滿足為了對抗加勒比海和太平洋東海岸的毒品交易活動而提出的更高需求。

海岸警衛隊還將退役4架HU-25“獵隼”飛機；減少5架HH-65s型“海豚”直升機的編制；並將關閉位於密歇根州馬斯基根和伊利諾州沃基根兩處地點的航空設施。（中國船舶工業綜合技術經濟研究院  宋磊）

http://www.dsti.net/Information/News/56544
美國海軍提交2011年財政預算草案
2010-02-02

    [據海軍時報網站2010年2月1日報導]美國海軍部本週一向國會提交了一份價值1791億美元的預算申請。根據申請，美國海軍將在2011財年建造9艘艦船，購買206架飛機，推遲建造海軍陸戰隊遠征戰車，取消CG(X)巡洋艦的建造計畫。
  
    該預算草案包括1606億美元的基準撥款（以去年1560億美元海軍軍費支出為基準），以及為“海外緊急行動”（例如伊拉克和阿富汗戰爭）所提供的185億美元撥款。

    以這份預算為基礎，451億美元將用於人員支出，462億美元將用於運行和維護支出，466億美元將用來採辦艦船、飛機和武器，177億美元將用來進行技術研發，50億美元將用於基礎建設。（中國船舶工業綜合技術經濟研究院  張洛晴）

http://big5.xinhuanet.com/gate/big5/news.xinhuanet.com/mil/2010-02/01/content_12910231.htm
美國防預算突破7000億 
2010年02月01日 08:26:59 　來源：廣州日報

    分別投入96億美元和27億美元用于購買多款直升機和無人偵察機，計劃將MQ－9“收割者”無人偵察機總數增加近一倍。

    美國奧巴馬政府定于當地時間2月1日向國會遞交2011財政年度預算案。一些政府官員提前揭開頗受關注的國防預算案面紗，稱預算金額將超過7000億美元。

    2010年10月1日至2011年9月30日為美國2011財年。法新社1月31日報道，2011財年國防預算案總額超過7000億美元。

    法新社援引一些不願公開姓名的政府官員的話報道，2011財年美國將在阿富汗和伊拉克投入約1590億美元支持美軍軍事行動，其中116億美元用于訓練阿富汗部隊以及招募安全人員。

    受駐阿美軍行動需要，美國將分別投入96億美元和27億美元用于購買多款直升機和無人偵察機。五角大樓計劃在2011財年將MQ－9“收割者”無人偵察機總數增加近一倍。

    此外，一些不願公開姓名的美國官員告訴法新社記者，奧巴馬會在2011財年提請國會為美軍伊拉克和阿富汗軍事行動追加330億美元軍費預算。

    一些政治分析師認為，美國政府在直升機、無人偵察機和特種部隊單元加大投入，意味著極端武裝力量已經取代傳統假想敵部隊成為美國軍事戰略的焦點。

    加速海灣反導部署 對伊戰略“急轉彎”

    至少已有4個海灣地區國家同意美國在其境內部署或升級導彈防禦係統，這四個國家分別為卡塔爾、阿聯酋、巴林及科威特。

    美國《紐約時報》與《華盛頓郵報》1月31日分別發自華盛頓與阿拉伯聯合酋長國的兩則報道同時披露，奧巴馬政府正加速在海灣地區的軍事部署，增加對海灣地區的軍售規模，同時協助提升海灣盟國重要石油設施的防護水平。

    一係列動作，目標直指伊朗，美國媒體稱之為美國對伊朗戰略的“緊急轉折點”。

    據不願公開姓名的美軍官員透露，至少已有4個海灣地區國家已同意美國在其境內部署或升級導彈防禦係統，這四個國家分別為卡塔爾、阿聯酋、巴林及科威特。

    伊朗核計劃談判僵持數月無果，奧巴馬政府招數頻頻不靈。《紐約時報》說，眼下美國對伊朗戰略已進入“緊急轉折點”，美軍官員對媒體的披露實際是“戰術”，是對伊朗施加壓力的手法。

    美國中央司令部司令彼得雷烏斯先前提及，美國在海灣國家部署導彈防禦係統的內容包括，在每一個接受這一反導係統的國家部署8支“愛國者”導彈編隊，主要防禦短程導彈襲擊。

    在海灣，美軍“宙斯盾”級驅逐艦已開始全天候巡邏，主要防禦中程導彈襲擊。盡管這兩層防護對遠程導彈無效，但美軍方研究認為，伊朗要給“流星3”型遠程導彈安裝核彈頭還需花費數年時間。

http://www.dsti.net/Information/News/56282
美國國防部將尋求武器項目投資的年度穩定性
2010-01-22

    [據美國《防務新聞》2010年1月20日報導]    美國國防部高級官員表示，鑒於年度波動過大會產生許多問題，國防部正在致力於武器專案穩定的年度投資。

    美國國防部負責採辦、技術與後勤的副部長卡特稱，國防部長蓋茨認識到了投資穩定對專案績效的重要性，國防部的年度預算將比布希政府期間有較小增長。

    奧巴馬政府自上臺以來，就引發了對美國國防工業基礎的擔憂。卡特稱，國防部測量出的國防工業基礎的健康度數據表明，美國國防工業基礎不佳，對此，他表示憂慮，並計畫採取措施。美國戰略司令部參謀長也表示擔心美國國防工業基礎，特別是對軍用飛機製造基礎和固體火箭發動機部門。 （北方科技資訊研究所 薛亞波）

http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4463435&c=POL&s=TOP
Carter: DoD Brass To Seek Stable Funding For Weapon Programs
By JOHN T. BENNETT
Published: 20 Jan 2010 19:55

Senior U.S. defense officials will aim to keep stable annual funding levels for weapon programs, realizing yearly fluctuations can breed trouble, the Pentagon's top arms buyer said.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates "realizes stability is a key to program performance," Ashton Carter, undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, said Jan. 20.

Carter also predicted annual Pentagon budgets likely will grow at a slower rate than under the Bush administration.

But still, some overall yearly growth appears likely, though Carter cautioned it will not match the Bush era spending spree.

"Secretary Gates understands that the investment part of the budget is the part that typically gets damaged in times of flat … budgets," Carter said. "And President Obama has agreed with that."

Pentagon and administration officials are aiming for yearly U.S. defense budgets that, as the acquisition, technology and logistics chief said, "won't look like an EKG."

An electrocardiogram is a medical test that measures the electrical activity of a person's heartbeat. As the heart beats, an EKG readout will show a series of dramatic spikes and drops. Obama administration defense officials want to avoid a similar looking chart for overall yearly defense budget levels.

Carter also said officials are working to reverse what he described as "an erosion of budget discipline" that crept into Pentagon budgeting over the past few years.

He addressed a mostly Air Force audience gathered in downtown Washington for a national security policy conference sponsored by the Institute for Foreign Policy Analysis and Tufts University's Fletcher School.

Cost-plus or fixed-price?

The Pentagon's top weapons buyer also addressed ongoing acquisition reform efforts, saying one thing officials are taking a look at is "how we're structuring our contracts."

Since taking over, the Obama administration has endorsed the notion of increasing the Pentagon's use of fixed-price contracts for new weapon programs. Over the last decade or so, cost-plus contract frameworks had become the norm for most major DoD acquisition programs.

Some experts say cost-plus arrangements have dramatically increased the price tag for the Pentagon on many programs. Industry counters that fixed-price contracts - particularly when a great deal of research and development is needed on a program - can dramatically increase costs for contractors, even to the point companies will decide to skip a contract competition.

Carter said he "has no real religion" when it comes to the fixed-price versus cost-plus debate. He favors a "case-by-case" approach, using the structure that makes the most sense. For instance, he said, "if you already know what you want, you probably have no business" going with a cost-plus contract.

IED Task Force

In mid-November, Gates made Carter and Marine Corps Lt. Gen. John Paxton, the Joint Staff's director for operations J-3, co-chairs of a new joint task force to coordinate the Pentagon's many efforts to combat improvised explosive devices.

Gates wanted the new IED task force to streamline the military's efforts and examine both offensive and defensive counterbomb tactics and tools, he said Nov. 14.

Carter has spent time in Afghanistan and at military test ranges since.

"We are looking at things we can do now," he said with a snap of his fingers for emphasis.

Carter said one focus of the task force has been increasing ISR assets in theater that can be used for the IED mission.

"Not orbits," he said, but rather "things like balloons, not fancy airplanes."

He painted a picture of an American unit at a forward operating base "that just needs to see what's out there."

Sure, using aircraft for the mission gives the unit the needed images. But doing that is far more costly than fielding simpler platforms like balloons fitted with sensors to do the work.

"It is not acceptable that [U.S. troops] don't have the things they need" for counter-IED operations, Carter told the audience.

Air Force Answers

With air power the theme of the conference, Carter touched on a number of Air Force programs and issues that remain in virtual limbo.

He ticked off a list of Unresolved Air Force efforts, and said "we need to find the way ahead" on each. The list included "the family of things that are the sum of long-range strike"; a stand-off ISR system; electronic warfare; a ground-moving target indicator; as well as how to proceed with the notion of fielding a conventional and long-range prompt global strike system.

"We have to do some of them, but we cannot do all of them," Carter said.

Pentagon and Air Force officials must weigh a number of factors in mapping those "ways ahead," he said. The decisions must be "guided" by factors such as: what is technologically possible; how will the technology and industrial bases be affected; and "affordability," he said.

As for a new Air Force long-range strike bomber, Carter said: "We will provide an answer on what comes next on that within the next year."

Industrial Base Concerns

The Obama administration has raised concerns since taking office about the health of the U.S. defense industrial base, echoing think tanks and lawmakers.

Carter said Washington cannot afford to let a segment of the defense sector dissolve that would be tough to rebuild, or "that cannot be replicated in the commercial sector."

The Pentagon acquisition chief said he is "frustrated" by the "poor level" of data DoD has to measure the health of the industrial base, something he is trying to enhance.

Earlier in the day, U.S. Strategic Command chief Gen. Kevin Chilton told Defense News he, too, has industrial base concerns.

Chilton said he is worried about several sectors, including the large shrunken military aircraft manufacturing base and the solid propellant rocket sector.