Boeing might have to pay the Air Force an additional $412 million—funds from the original C-17 contract—if the Air Force finds the service paid too much for the airlifter, according to various news reports. The Air Force has been reviewing the award made in 2000 as part of its investigation into contracts negotiated during the tenure of former USAF acquisition official Darleen Druyun. Earlier this summer, Boeing agreed to a Justice Department settlement in which it will pay $615 million for misconduct related to several programs.
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.
