Have you noticed the lack of official Pentagon comment on the BRAC commission final recommendations last week? The jury must still be out in DOD minds. Defense Secretary Rumsfeld said Monday that he has yet to decide whether he will recommend President Bush approve the finalized list, according to the Associated Press. Asked for comment during a visit to the Army training center at Ft. Irwin, Calif., Monday, he said the commissioners emphasized economics more than military value.
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.