Next month.

Nuclear Bombers

* The Air Force has ambitious plans for modernizing the air leg of the nation's nuclear arsenal, including developing a new long-range bomber and cruise missile, and upgrading legacy platforms. But questions remain as to whether enough funding will be available for the service to meet its goals.

Minuteman III

* The Minuteman III joins the air and sea legs of the nuclear triad as a portion of the arsenal in dire need of a replacement program. The Air Force in 2016 kicked off an effort to develop a new intercontinental ballistic missile as well as the com-mand-and-control centers, all of which date back to the 1970s.

Columbia-Class Submarine

* A replacement for the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine, the sea-based leg of the United States' nuclear triad, is badly needed. The effort to replace the aging subs has hit snags and any further delay could create a gap between the end of the boast's service life and when new subs are fielded. In our next issue, National Defense examines the...