Podcast: Dissecting Developments On MV-75, F/A-XX, B-21 And More

Robert Wall Brian Everstine Steve Trimble April 28, 2026

Editors reflect on a busy period for defense, sharing insights on Quad-A, Sea-Air-Space, Aviation Week's MALMS, the latest Pentagon budget figures, and everything else you need to know on air and missile modernization.

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AI-Generated Summary

The podcast episode delves into recent developments in U.S. defense, focusing on budget allocations and procurement challenges. The discussion begins with the Army's aviation budget, highlighting the MV-75 program, also known as the Cheyenne II. The program faces a strict timeline, with concerns about potential delays due to its ambitious schedule.

The conversation shifts to the Navy's Sea-Air-Space event, where the firing of the Secretary of the Navy is noted as unprecedented. The Chief of Naval Operations discusses the F/A-XX program, emphasizing the challenges of meeting the Navy's schedule.

The podcast also covers the Air Force's budget, including the procurement of additional B-21 aircraft and the influence of Congress on fighter production. The hosts explore international procurement, focusing on Peru's controversial fighter selection process, which has led to political upheaval.

The episode concludes with a rapid-fire round on various budget surprises, including missile procurement and executive airlift plans and the feasibility of producing a large number of hypersonic missiles, drawing parallels to historical production efforts during World War II.

Key Topics:

Army Aviation Budget and MV-75 Program
Sea Airspace Event and Navy Leadership Changes
FAXX Program and Procurement Challenges
Air Force Budget and B-21 Procurement
Congressional Influence on Fighter Production
Peru's Fighter Selection Controversy
Missile Procurement and Production Feasibility
Executive Airlift Plans and Budget Surprises

Robert Wall

Email: [email protected]

Robert Wall is Executive Editor for Defense and Space. Based in London, he directs a team of military and space journalists across the U.S., Europe and Asia-Pacific.