Shrinkflation.

This is coolbert:

Not really a mystery!

"Mysteries behind the US Navy’s depleting Tomahawk missile stockpile"

https://bulgarianmilitary.com | By Alexey Lenkov | Feb 13, 2024.

"The US military is grappling with a significant but silent crisis, colloquially referred to as 'shrinkflation'. Basically, this term denotes the military’s dwindling capacity and readiness due to the yearly budget failing to keep pace with inflation. Consequently, the US’s ability to manufacture new aircraft, ships, and precision weapons is not meeting the escalating demand for these resources."

"As America counters threats posed by rebel groups aligned with Iran, a growing sense of unease is permeating Washington. The concerns aren’t solely focused on the increasingly perilous global threats. They also include a dwindling stockpile of weapons and a strained production output. "

Hardly a mystery. Missiles expended at a rate beyond replenishment. Indeed, procurement and replenishment of all military ordnance resources and stockpiled weaponry for emergencies and contingencies I well imagine at a low level.

Budgeted items cost of new "stuff" beyond what had been anticipated. Money, money, money! Resources not infinite.

coolbert.