President Barack Obama on Thursday signed a short-term continuing resolution that will fund the federal government through Dec. 9, 2016. Congress passed the measure on Wednesday, just in time to avert a government shutdown. Air Force leadership has said it could “manage” through a short-term CR, but cautioned that a long-term continuing resolution would reduce the service’s requested budget by $1.3 billion and, in turn, reduce the number of munitions it can buy and reduce funding for at least 60 acquisition projects. Lawmakers will be able to work on a longer term deal after the November election.
China thinks it will be able to invade Taiwan by 2027 and has developed a technology edge in many key areas—but it is artificial intelligence that may be the decisive factor should conflict erupt, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said.