Facing Future Threats, Time for Air Force to Stockpile Munitions is Now, Experts Say

[rebewranger]

Facing Future Threats, Time for Air Force to Stockpile Munitions is Now, Experts Say
March 15, 2022 | By Nick Adde

Like their colleagues throughout the Air Force, the service’s top munitions experts hail the potential of cutting-edge aircraft such as the F-35 Lightning II and B-21 Raider. But without enough of the right kind of munitions, they believe, these and other platforms could fall short of their potential when most needed.

“We lack a deep bench of stores for them when it comes to key weapons,” retired Maj. Gen. Larry Stutzriem told a March 3 audience during a panel discussion at the AFA Warfare Symposium.

Stutzreim, who moderated the discussion, is director of research at AFA’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies. He added that the munitions industrial complex is not large enough to surge production of necessary munitions when crises would demand it.

https://www.airforcemag.com/facing-future-threats-time-for-air-force-to-stockpile-munitions-is-now-experts-say/

[Smokin Joe]

It makes sense to me. I would think a large number of munitions would be pretty basic units, and will be around for some time. Keeping the plants going might bring a reduction in cost as well.

Sure, there is always another level of "gee whiz" around the corner, but quantity has a quality all its own.

[EdinVA]

It makes sense to me. I would think a large number of munitions would be pretty basic units, and will be around for some time. Keeping the plants going might bring a reduction in cost as well.

Sure, there is always another level of "gee whiz" around the corner, but quantity has a quality all its own.

The problem is transportation and storage.
When I was in, the munitions storage area was almost as large as the rest of the base simply to provide enough space between storage shelters that if something were to happen, it would not spread.
They also have a "shelf life", don't remember what it was but when we left SEA, EOD blew up a bunch because they were old and it was cheaper than moving them again.

[rustynail]

Just more to abandon when they turn tail again.

[Smokin Joe]

Just more to abandon when they turn tail again.

There are ways to get your money's worth out of them that were missed in the latest Bug-out.

Hopefully, those would be utilized in the event that should happen again.