Vice Adm. Richard Correll, U.S. President Donald Trump’s nominee to replace Gen. Anthony Cotton as commander of U.S. Strategic Command, punted when asked about Trump’s order during his confirmation hearing on Oct. 30. “Neither China nor Russia has conducted a nuclear explosive test,” he said. “So I’m not reading anything into it or reading anything out.” Correll said existing simulations for nuclear detonations are sufficient to ensure STRATCOM’s annual certification that the nuclear arsenal is reliable, effective, and credible.
Correll had no such hesitation about endorsing his predecessor’s call for purchasing more B-21 stealth bombers than the 100 aircraft that the program of record calls for, however. “I agree with General Cotton’s assessment, and I believe he’s been on the record saying between 140 and 150 B-21s,” Correll said, adding: The B-21 is “one of the strongest-performing large acquisition programs we have, and I agree it’s on time and on budget.”
