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Which major weapons systems will survive the seismic shift in military budget priorities that inevitably will come with the new administration? Loren Thompson’s analysis of potential big-ticket program winners and losers is fascinating not least because of his assessment that the outcome is likely to be similar regardless of whether it’s President McCain or President Obama. Each candidate is likely to favor funding that is personnel-focused, which will trump new weapons’ development.

If U.S. aircraft manufacturers see fewer U.S. dollars being allocated to fighters, then it will become all the more critical for them to capture foreign sales. Chris Griffin examines how the U.S. is faring in an increasingly competitive field, with new models of the Sukhoi, MiG and Chinese-designed aircraft pitted against the likes of the F-16, perhaps history’s most successful fighter export. And he questions whether it’s viable or wise to withhold so-called fifth-generation aircraft such as the F-22 from our allies.

Bill Matthews asks the question that will be repeatedly scrutinized over the coming months: Is the Air Force truly facing a fighter gap of 800 aircraft, as the service claims?

Milan Vego makes a detailed case for the Navy to acquire more small combatant surface ships that would give it greater mission flexibility and beef up its “narrow seas” capabilities.

Retired Col. David Jesmer, who has extensive experience working with and training foreign militaries, argues that America’s generally harsh criticism of Iraqi Security Forces’ performance may be skewed by our false and biased metrics.

And our essay pays tribute to one of the Air Force’s most influential heroes. Without Col. John Boyd, there might never have been an F-16 or A-10. Retired Col. Mike Wyly, who was a close colleague and friend of Boyd, picks up on Secretary Robert Gates’ speech to the Air War College that included a call for more Boyd-like mavericks. A timely tribute, given the extraordinary changes that lay ahead for the Air Force.