2010 AF Budget

So, besides the $600M in classified procurement that was in the 2010 budget, there were two rather interesting slides as well.





This is NOT for a UAV, as it has Life Support costs associated with it, which a UAV wouldn't require. This is the first I've heard of DARP, but that's a pretty good bit of money associated with the program. It looks like 2009 would be at least partial procurement money, while 2010/2011 was operational costs.

The time frame would be about right for what I've heard about the latest high speed ISR platform.

a reply to: Zaphod58

ISR? Can't find a clear definition elsewhere.

a reply to: Zaphod58

A recon plane it seems.

Maybe SR-72?

a reply to: CloudsTasteMetallic

Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance. That means it uses radar, signals intercepts, and cameras, among other equipment to gather intelligence.

a reply to: grey580

There has been something flying for at least five years.

a reply to: Zaphod58

DARP (Defense Airborne Reconnaissance Program) has been around for ages.

a reply to: Zaphod58

DARP

D ?
A ? Advanced?
R Recon?
P ? Plane?

a reply to: weavty1

I was thinking on the same lines.

But this is something that's operational. At least that's what I get from Zaphods posts.

a reply to: weavty1

This is a specific platform. The group has been around awhile, but they have multiple platforms.

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: weavty1

This is a specific platform. The group has been around awhile, but they have multiple platforms.

So this is different?

DARP and DARP MODS

a reply to: weavty1

Almost certainly. That was back in 1998. They have certainly modernized platforms by now, which means that this is going to be a new platform.

a reply to: Zaphod58
So why is the Aircraft: N/A ?

Lol, usually if it's a classified program, it's classified, and would go under the classified budget line item/umbrella.

Sorry, but this is not a Classified Aircraft Program. It's a support program for all airborne reconnaissance programs.

a reply to: weavty1

Some classified programs are still listed in the public budget. The B-2 is a great example of it. It was classified at first, but it was listed in the public budget, there were others as well. Not everything goes under the black budget.

a reply to: Zaphod58

I wish the B2 was left out of the public budget, that code name really ruffled a few feathers lol

a reply to: weavty1

I agree, I don't see why something completely black would be budgeted for in the unclassified budget apart from 'hiding' money in another program but that is not the case here.

a reply to: Zaphod58

The SR-72 shown from last year was said to maybe become operational in the 2030s (maybe they already have one or more flying but that isn't the point) so if they want it to be hidden at least until then (if it is already flying), why would operational activities and support be budgeted for in the unclassified budget? Are there 2011 and later budgets for this item?

a reply to: BlackDog10

The replacement for the Sr-71 has been flying around for a while now, and the SR-72 which is a seperate airframe is also flying around.

a reply to: BlackDog10

Who said it's completely black. Maybe its just a classified platform. The amounts budgeted are pretty high for support activities.

Even if its support, its evidence of another program.

a reply to: Zaphod58

I don't think it is exclusive evidence of another program, for all we know it could be for U2s, or some other known aircraft, unless they are all accounted for in other items.

a reply to: BlackDog10

Except for the whole "DARP aircraft are classified on a need to know basis". Why would the U-2 have a classified budget when the only classified portion of it is where it flies? All its support would be included in the budget for it.