Palmdale, Calif., officials are trying to buy a B-52 bomber that now sits on Oklahoma state fairgrounds for the city’s airpark, reports the LA Daily News. The airplane will serve as a tribute to that area’s contributions to aerospace. Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford said the city wants the aircraft because B-52 modifications and flight tests were conducted at Plant 42 at nearby Edwards AFB, Calif. The city is looking to sign a $248,000 contract with a company to disassemble, transport and reassemble the airplane.
The Pentagon announced new long-term agreements with four defense companies May 13 to develop and produce large numbers of low-cost cruise missiles. And while the effort will focus mostly on the Army to start, it pairs with Air Force efforts to find more affordable munitions.