FCS, DDG-1000, Raptors in Gates Changes

By Michael Bruno

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is expected to announce major changes to the Pentagon’s portfolio this afternoon, including essentially stopping the F-22 Raptor, delaying the Next-Generation Bomber, and a complete restructuring of the Future Combat Systems.

Congressional and industry sources suggest Gates will outline a major push toward military personnel spending, namely the end-strength and health care priorities that President Barack Obama outlined as a candidate for the White House last year. Similarly, there will also be an effort to cut the contractors providing outsourced support to the Defense Department, with a commensurate increase in civil servants to do government functions.

Sources say there will be more F-18 aircraft ordered – the Navy and Marine Corps have long warned of a coming fighter “gap” in their force structures. The controversial Air Force tanker replacement effort will continue moving forward, as well.

The Navy will build a total of three DDG-1000s and then shift toward producing more DDG-51 Arleigh Burke-class surface combatant. Last year, the sea service proposed ending the embattled shipbuilding effort at two, but congressional supporters cajoled the Navy into contracting for at least one more.

Photo: USAF