The Defense Department is using America’s tax dollars to turn scientists into screenplay writers. The Christian Science Monitor reports that DOD hopes scientists attending a three-to-five-day screenwriting class, the Catalyst Workshop, will end up producing authentic, appealing scientific-themed films that attract young people to pursue careers in such fields as physics, biology, and forensics. The potential “brain drain” facing the department as its science and engineering workforce grays out—Pentagon data indicates up to 50 percent could retire in the next five years—has pushed the Air Force in particular to seek innovative ways to attract new talent. As CSM notes, the popularity of the TV series “CSI” and the like have increased enrollment in forensics at colleges.
Boeing received a $2.47 billion Air Force contract Nov. 25 for 15 more KC-46s, bringing to 183 the number of Pegasus tankers on contract to all customers, foreign and domestic. The new contract—for Lot 12 of the initially planned KC-46 buy—is to be completed by 2029.
