Defense budget projection analysis shows basics to be cut to fund F-35, LRS-B, and new SSBN

LRS-B, Next Boomer May Force Weapons Cuts « Breaking Defense - Defense industry news, analysis and commentary

The Air Force and Navy could need to cut back on some combination of force levels, acquisitions, and readiness to make enough budget headroom for these new programs, Harrison estimates. Since both services have already substantially cut their force levels and lowered readiness, Harrison believe they will have to cut other major acquisition programs to fund LRS-B and Ohio Replacement.

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That’s the estimation of Todd Harrison, the top budget expert at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessment. His conclusions are based on a new detailed report, Analysis of the FY 2015 Budget Request being released as you read this.

FINAL Weapon Systems Factbook

Summary

This report summarizes the program plans and funding for each of the major acquisition programs included in the SAR and two additional programs. The Air Force’s Long Range Strike-Bomber (LRS-B) and the Navy’s Ohio-Class Replacement programs are not yet reported in the SAR, but enough is known about each program to construct a reasonable cost estimate. The LRS-B and Ohio Replacement programs are among the largest acquisition programs in DoD’s portfolio, as shown in the figure on the following page, and any discussion of major acquisitions would be incomplete without them. The programs included in this report represent 39 percent of the total acquisition budget in the FY 2015 FYDP. The remaining 61 percent of funding is used for hundreds of smaller
acquisition programs not reported in the SAR or other programs too early in development to be included in the SAR.

Air Force Long Range Strike Bomber

Ohio-Replacement Boomer - USNI News

Navy Ohio Replacement (SSBN[X]) Ballistic Missile Submarine Program - R41129.pdf


The question in my mind is, will these big strategic programs make the US safer in the 21st century or could the funds be better allocated?