U.S. needs longer-range, stealthy drones: think tank

The U.S. military should invest more in longer-range, stealthy weapons, and especially unmanned vehicles, to leverage current advantages and stay ahead of rapid advances by China, Russia and other potential foes, a Washington think tank said Tuesday. 

The report, released by the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, acknowledged U.S. budget pressures and said funding for new weapons could come from base closures, cuts in personnel benefits and reductions in current modernization programs - such as the shorter-range Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 fighter jet - and even aircraft carriers. 

Former Navy Undersecretary Robert Martinage, who wrote the report after spending five years at the Pentagon, said it was meant to stimulate discussion as part of a major push by the Defense Department to accelerate technology developments and outpace gains by other countries. 


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