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Air Force

Increase In CRAF Planes Would Bolster USAF Airlift For Pacific, Paper Says

Frank Wolfe

Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025

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Increase In CRAF Planes Would Bolster USAF Airlift For Pacific, Paper Says

Pictured is a U.S. Air Force photo of a C-17 Globemaster III transport with the 21st Airlift Squadron at Travis AFB, Calif. on Aug. 27.

As the Air Force delays development of a new, likely stealthy airlifter, the service may reap readiness rewards in the Pacific from a doubling of the planes in the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF), according to a new study by the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies. The CRAF "represents less than 7 percent of the airline fleet, which is only about 450 aircraft from an airline total of over 7,000," according to the paper by retired Air Force Col. Robert…

Army

Hegseth Says DoD Open To Reviewing Army’s Planned Cuts To Legacy Helicopter Procurement

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has told lawmakers the Pentagon is open to reviewing the Army’s planned procurement cuts to its legacy manned aviation fleet. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), ranking member […]

Congress

Appropriators Press For Details On Iran War Costs; DoD’s $29B Estimate Doesn’t Include Base Damage

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Congress

Appropriators Offer Skepticism On $350B Defense Reconciliation Plan, ‘Big Risk’ For Key Initiatives

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Congress

All Future Systems Should Have Autonomy Features, Reed Says

Last week, Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) visited North Kingstown, R.I.-based Senesco, which is teaming with autonomous systems company Havoc to bid on the U.S. Navy’s Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel program. […]