Pentagon Weapons Request to Be $7 Billion Less Than Forecast

The U.S. Defense Department will request about $113 billion for weapons in the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, $7 billion less than planned in its forecast last year, according to government officials.

In the budget, due for release Feb. 14, will be 32 Lockheed Martin Corp. F-35 jets for the Air Force and Navy, software upgrades for its F-22 fighter and additional MC-130 transports for special operations, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss budget figures before the request is published.

The budget also includes for two Virginia-class nuclear submarines made jointly by Northrop Grumman Corp. and General Dynamics Corp., four Littoral Combat Ships made by Lockheed and General Dynamics-led teams, and $1 billion in advance funding for the Northrop-built CVN-78 aircraft carrier, the officials said.

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