Regulations and Government
U.S. Air Force Leaders Say Top Programs Safe From Sequestration
Air Force leadership expresses confidence that top-priority procurements are safe from possible budget threats.
U.S. Air Force commander Gen. Mark Welsh (left) and other senior leadership gave briefings at the Air Force Association (AFA) conference. (Photo: Chris Pocock)
U.S. Air Force commander Gen. Mark Welsh (left) and other senior leadership gave briefings at the Air Force Association (AFA) conference. (Photo: Chris Pocock)

The threat of renewed U.S. government budget sequestration in FY2016 loomed large at this week’s U.S. Air Force Association (AFA) conference and exposition. Nevertheless Air Force leadership seemed confident that they could protect their top-priority procurements: the F-35 stealth fighter, KC-46 tanker and the long-range strike bomber (LRS-B). This same week, the U.S. Congress passed a continuing resolution to enable uninterrupted spending on operations and procurement from October 1, the start of FY2015. A definitive National Defense Authorization (NDA) for FY2015 is not expected until January.