Comment:  GAO Report and article highlighting Doomsday Plane coverage from the report.  Also the Sentinel Missile and its high cost was discussed.

https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-25-107569

Weapon Systems Annual Assessment:DOD Leaders Should Ensure That Newer Programs Are Structured for Speed and Innovation

GAO-25-107569Published: Jun 11, 2025. Publicly Released: Jun 11, 2025.

Quote:

Program challenges and inflation drove major defense acquisition program portfolio costs. Combined total estimates increased by $49.3 billion for 30 MDAPs also included in last year's report. The Air Force's Sentinel missile program accounted for over $36 billion (73 percent) of this increase.

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https://www.twz.com/air/choice-of-c-130-as-basis-for-new-navy-doomsday-plane-questioned-in-watchdog-report

Choice Of C-130 For New Navy ‘Doomsday Plane’ Questioned In Watchdog Report

The Navy is acquiring E-130Js to replace critical, but aging 707-based E-6B Mercury nuclear command and control aircraft.

JOSEPH TREVITHICK

UPDATED JUN 12, 2025 1:08 PM EDT

Quote:

The Navy currently has a fleet of 16 E-6B Mercury aircraft, based on the now long-out-of-production Boeing 707 airliner, to perform the critical TACAMO mission. The aircraft had originally entered service as E-6As starting in 1989 before being upgraded to their current configuration. The E-6Bs are also designed to support a U.S. Air Force nuclear mission set called the Airborne Command Post (ABNCP), and more commonly known by the nickname Looking Glass, which involves providing aerial command and control support to nuclear-capable bombers and silo-based Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles. As part of that role, the Mercury jets are able to initiate the launch of Minuteman IIIs while in flight.

“The C-130J aircraft – selected 4 years before E-130J’s development start – may not meet operational availability requirements. The E-130J’s technical risk assessment highlighted the complexity associated with integrating E-130J systems onto this aircraft,” per GAO. “The Navy’s technical risk assessment team expects the integration risks to translate to manufacturing issues given the potential deviation from standard components and the security environment required.”