During the Reagan military buildup of the 1980s, the Army made impressive progress in its modernization efforts by identifying its five most important new programs, and never missing an opportunity to highlight the “Big Five.” These programs — the M1 tank and Bradley fighting vehicle, the Black Hawk and Apache helicopters, and the Patriot air defense system — were the centerpieces that gave continuity to the Army’s post-Vietnam transformation. If the Air Force today were selecting the five programs most crucial to its success in the emerging operational environment, which five should it pick?

http://www.armedforcesjournal.com/2005/12/1220760