J Model Gets the Works in Tactical Test: The Air Force has been putting the C-130J through more field testing, utilizing the Army’s Joint Readiness Training Center at Ft. Polk, La. Airmen from Little Rock AFB, Ark., conducted the joint training, making dirt strip landings and cargo air drops and working with soldiers during engine-running cargo offloads—sometimes attacked by simulated mortar shells. During the high-operations tempo, 24-hours surges, the Little Rock aircrews flew 15 sorties a day—under the watchful eyes of Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center personnel from Edwards AFB, Calif.
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.