Joining the ranks of individuals who provide Pentagon top leaders with independent advice on defense policy issues are John Hamre, former deputy defense secretary in the Clinton Administration; J.D. Crouch, former deputy National Security Advisor; Robert Joseph, former undersecretary of State; retired Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace, past Joint Chiefs Chairman; William Perry, former Defense Secretary; and Peter Rodman, former assistant secretary of defense. They join returning members, including Harold Brown, Henry Kissinger, retired Gen. Richard Myers, and James Schlesinger. Defense Secretary Robert Gates chose Hamre, who currently heads the Center for Strategic and International Studies, to chair the board.
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.