Hegseth Promises a Deep Dive into NGAD, Assessing Air Force Capabilities Thoroughly
Let's Talk about Pete Hegseth and the Future of the Air Force
Pete Hegseth, the hot-headed former Fox News host and Army National Guard officer, felt the heat during his confirmation hearing for the position of Secretary of Defense. Throughout a contentious three-and-half-hour grilling by the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), Hegseth faced allegations of misconduct and financial mismanagement, but he remained unbothered and eager to prove his worth for the sprawling department that spends over $830 billion a year.
Much of the discussion revolved around whether Hegseth was qualified to lead the Pentagon, with critics questioning his lack of experience compared to retired generals, veteran policymakers, and academics who have previously held the position. However, Hegseth argued that his lack of preexisting loyalties to weapon programs would provide a fresh perspective, stating, "I don't have a special interest in any particular system or any particular company or any particular narrative. I want to know what works, what defeats our enemies, what keeps us safe, what deters them, what keeps our enemies up at night-whatever it is, I want more of it, and I want to invest in it."
When asked about the future composition of the Air Force by Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Hegseth emphasized the importance of the conversation, stating, "That's a very important conversation, one that I've been looking at a great deal." Hegseth was less forthcoming when discussing the Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter, the most significant Air Force decision he may face if confirmed by the Senate. While he echoed the view of the need to counter China's military buildup, he expressed reluctance to disclose his stance on the costly program, citing the sensitive nature of the classified information.
Despite some Trump administration supporters, such as Elon Musk, pushing for the Air Force to ditch manned fighters like the F-35 Lightning II, Hegseth left his cards close to his chest on the manned vs. unmanned aircraft debate. He did express concern for the survivability of human pilots and acknowledged the growing importance of unmanned systems in future wars but stopped short of making firm commitments.
One issue that Hegseth did take a clear stance on was the need for a substantial defense budget, stating, "Going under 3 percent ... is very dangerous." He also firmly endorsed the Pentagon's nuclear modernization efforts, citing the importance of programs such as the B-21 Raider stealth bomber, the Sentinel ICBM, and the ballistic-missile carrying Columbia-class submarine.
While the hearing focused heavily on Hegseth's views on women in combat and allegations of misconduct, his stance on the future of the Air Force and the NGAD program remained unclear. Some clues can be gleaned from Hegseth's expressed desire for a strategic shift towards unmanned systems and a keen focus on countering China's military buildup. However, to understand Hegseth's specific views on NGAD or the balance between manned and unmanned aircraft in the Air Force, more information would be required from direct statements or policy documents.
The ongoing confirmation process is sure to provide more insight into Hegseth's defense policy positions. With many Democrats ready to vote against his nomination but Hegseth enjoying support among Republicans, the outcome remains uncertain. In the meantime, Hegseth's written testimony offers some hints about his vision for the Air Force, emphasizing the need to expand the Air Force's fleet of fighter jets and address the aging KC-135 tanker fleet.
In short, while Hegseth refused to make firm commitments on one of the most significant Air Force decisions he may face, it's clear that he is focused on aligning military capabilities with strategic priorities and ready to stir the pot in the world of defense policy.
- Amidst the controversy surrounding Pete Hegseth's nomination for Secretary of Defense, the discussion about the Air Force's future composition was highlighted.
- Sen. Ted Budd's question about the future Air Force composition was met with emphasis from Hegseth, who insisted it was a crucial conversation he had been closely examining.
- Hegseth avoided disclosing his stance on the Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter, due to the sensitive nature of the program.
- The debate regarding manned versus unmanned aircraft remains undecided, with Hegseth expressing concern for human pilot survivability and acknowledging the growing significance of drones.
- Hegseth strongly advocated for a substantial defense budget, expressing concern over going under 3 percent, and endorsed nuclear modernization efforts, including the B-21 Raider stealth bomber.
- The NGAD program and the balance between manned and unmanned aircraft in the Air Force were not clearly defined in Hegseth's statements, requiring further information from direct statements or policy documents.
- Despite some ambiguity in his defense policy positions, it's evident that Hegseth is committed to aligning military capabilities with strategic priorities and is poised to impact the defense policy landscape.
