Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- January 24, 2019

The cost of the nuclear arsenal will be almost $500 billion over the next decade. (USAF)

Defense News: Here’s how many billions the U.S. will spend on nuclear weapons over the next decade

WASHINGTON — If the U.S. carries out all of its plans for modernizing and maintaining the nuclear arsenal, it will cost $494 billion over the next decade, an average of just under $50 billion per year, a new government estimate has found.

The number, part of a biannual estimate put out by the Congressional Budget Office, is 23 percent over the previous estimate of $400 billion released in 2017. That 2017 figure itself was a 15 percent increase over the 2015 numbers.

The number will likely grab attention in Congress, especially on the House Armed Services Committee, where new chairman Rep. Adam Smith, of Washington, has made clear he will be looking for ways to save money by cutting nuclear costs.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- January 24, 2019

US Upgrade of Nuclear Forces to Cost More Than Expected -- Sputnik

With days to go before deadline, nuclear treaty seems doomed -- Defense News

Work completed on Navy’s upgraded nuclear warhead -- Defense News

End of an era: Navy’s legacy Hornets to fly off into the sunset -- Navy Times

U.S. Air Force tests microwave, laser weapon systems -- UPI

Why the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Stealth Fighters Will Revolutionize War -- Sebastien Roblin, National Interest

The U.S. Navy Is Building a Swarm "Ghost Fleet" -- National Interest

Zumwalt-class destroyer Michael Monsoor to be commissioned Saturday -- UPI

2 soldiers dead, several others injured in vehicle accident during training at Fort Bliss -- Army Times

Report: Army’s new modernization command risks cost overruns and delays -- Army Times

Marine Corps Builds New Amphibious Combat Vehicle for "Deep Strike" Attacks -- National Interest

Boeing's first autonomous air taxi flight ends in fewer than 60 seconds -- CNN

Women in the military draft, or dump the system altogether? New report looks at radical options -- Defense News

Chinese, Russian Anti-Satellite Tech Puts US ‘Space Assets at Risk' - Report -- Sputnik

Can Big Data Save Old Warplanes? -- Popular Mechanics

Does America Still Need the Nuclear Triad? -- Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics

Here’s why 22 Republicans voted against blocking Trump from NATO pullout -- Defense News

Russian defense firm developing new air-and sea-launched missiles -- TASS

Russian air-launched weapons proved their worth in Syria, says defense contractor -- TASS

Kalashnikov Concern Plans to Start Production of NATO-Standard Assault Rifle -- Sputnik

Chinese missile drill tests ‘ultimate symbol of PLA destructive potential’ and sends message to the US -- SCMP

Chinese military flies Su-30 fighter jet, Y-8 surveillance plane close to Taiwan in latest show of strength -- SCMP

Chinese Military Aircraft Flexes Muscles Flying Near Taiwan -- Sputnik

US says China’s growing military might is part of a ‘diverse’ threat to its national security -- SCMP

US warships sail through the closely watched Taiwan Strait, turning up the pressure on Beijing -- SCMP

South Korea discloses images of low-altitude Japanese flight -- UPI

S. Korea-based F-16s deploy to Philippines to ‘deepen relationships’ with nation’s military -- Stars and Stripes

Germany demands Russia verify its commitment to INF missile treaty -- DW

German navy returns to treating the Baltic Sea as a potential theater of war -- Defense News

Several EU Member States Considering Creation of EU Space Forces - Commissioner -- Sputnik

Swedish army orders Rheinmetall trucks for Patriot missile systems -- UPI

Military buildup in Arctic as melting ice reopens northern borders -- The Guardian