Gen. Robert Kehler, the nominee to head US Strategic Command, on Thursday called on the nation to maintain a nuclear triad and to modernize each of the triad’s legs. “It is critically important that we continue with both sustainment and modernization of all the legs of the triad,” Kehler told the Senate Armed Services Committee during his nomination hearing. He currently leads Air Force Space Command at Peterson AFB, Colo. In addition to developing the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine replacement, Kehler said “it’s important also to have a replacement long-range strike aircraft and . . . to begin the process to modernize the nation’s land-based strategic deterrent.” He said he does not think “there’s anything different that needs to be done right now,” in terms of pursuing the future LRS platform, when specifically asked if he would favor some change. (Kehler’s responses to advance questions) (See also AFPS report by Terri Moon Cronk)
The Space Development Agency says it’s on track to issue its next batch of missile warning and tracking satellite contracts this month after those awards were delayed by the Pentagon’s decision to divert funds from the agency to pay troops during this fall’s prolonged government shutdown.
