The Pentagon releases its $686 billion budget request for Fiscal 2019, including increases in acquisition for jets, subs, other hardware and troop increases.

President Donald Trump’s fiscal 2019 budget request includes almost $686 billion to position the military for a more global fight, even as it replenishes aircraft and missiles that have worn out faster than planned due to counter terrorism operations.

The request would procure more fighters and ships, purchase tens of thousands of munitions to replenish stocks used in operations against the Islamic State, and infuse money into both the nuclear triad and missile defense.

Here are some highlights:

F-35 Joint Strike Fighters

The budget sets aside $10.7 billion to buy 77 of the fifth-generation fighters.

Airman 1st Class Eric Ruiz-Garcia, 63rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief, performs an inspection on an F-35A Lightning II at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., Dec. 1, 2017. The unit is the first Luke F-35 AMU to receive a 3F, or full-up, combat aircraft capable of pulling 9G’s in the air. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Caleb Worpel)

Joint Direct Attack Munitions

The budget request asks for $1.2 billion to procure 43,594 JDAMs.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Joshua Terasas loads a GBU-31 joint direct attack munition at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. The GBU-31 JDAMs are GPS and internal navigation system-guided 2,000 pound bombs. The military has ordered 34,529 replacement bombs in the 2018 budget and 43,594 in the 2019 budget to replenish stores depleted by the air campaign against the Islamic State. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Frankie D. Moore)

Joint Light Tactical Vehicles

DoD wants to buy 5,113 JLTVs, estimated to cost $2 billion.

To answer the Army's mobile short-range air defense capability gap, Oshkosh Defense brought a version of its Joint Light Tactical Vehicle to AUSA 2017 with an Avenger air defense launcher on the back. (Photo courtesy of Oshkosh)

KC-46 Tanker

About $3 billion would be used on 15 of the new tankers, meant to replace the aging KC-135 Stratotanker.

The KC-46 refueling tanker takes off during a test flight on Wednesday in Washington state. (Boeing)

F/A-18s

DoD wants to buy 24 F/A-18s, estimated to cost $2 billion.

150513-N-TP834-089 CELEBES SEA (May 13, 2015) A Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 81 “Sunliners” F/A-18E Super Hornet launches from the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) flight deck. Carl Vinson and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17, are deployed to the 7th Fleet area of operations supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John Philip Wagner, Jr./Released)

VH-92 Presidential Helicopters

The budget request includes $900 million to buy six new presidential helicopters.

The Pentagon has requested funding in FY19 for six replacement presidential helicopters.

Virginia Class submarines

The Navy wants two of these submarines, which will cost $7.4 billion.

180126-N-KV911-0035 PEARL HARBOR (Jan. 26, 2018) Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Missouri (SSN 780) arrives at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, after completing a change of homeport from Groton, Connecticut, Jan. 26. The Pentagon has requested funding for two more Virginia-Class subs in the FY19 budget.

DDG-51 Arleigh Burke Class Destroyers

The request includes $6 billion for three of these destroyers.

Sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Preble conduct an operational tomahawk missile launch while underway in a training area off the coast of California. The launch tested the proficiency of the crew as well as the missile's ability to track and destroy targets well over the horizon.

B-21 Raider Long Range Strike Bomber

About $2.3 billion is set aside for the long-awaited B-21, which would be part of the nuclear triad.

The Air Force requested $2.3 billion in the fiscal year 2019 budget to continue development of the B-21 Raider, which is being built by Northrop Grumman. The bomber was named after the Doolittle Raiders, known for their surprise attack against Japan during World War II on April 18, 1942.

In addition to the weapons systems above, other highlighted requests include:

Aircraft

  • 60 AH-64E attack helicopters, worth $1.3 billion.
  • 10 P-8A aircraft at $2.2 billion.
  • 8 CH-53K King Stallion helicopters worth $1.6 billion.

Ships

  • 1 Littoral Combat Ship worth $1.3 billion.
  • Continued development funding for the CVN-78 Class Aircraft Carrier, worth $1.8 billion.
  • 2 Fleet Replenishment Oilers (T-AO) priced at $1.1 billion.
  • 1 Expeditionary Sea Base for $700 million.

Ground Systems

  • 5,113 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles for $2.0 billion.
  • M-1 Abrams tank modifications costing $2.7 billion.
  • 30 Amphibious Combat Vehicles for $300 million.
  • 197 Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicles for $800 million.

Deterrence

  • Columbia Class Submarine worth $3.7 billion.
  • Long-Range Stand-Off Missile for $600 million.
  • Ground Based Strategic Deterrent for $300 million.
About Tara Copp, AP

Tara Copp is a Pentagon correspondent for the Associated Press. She was previously Pentagon bureau chief for Sightline Media Group.

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