Air Force officials discussing the service’s energy strategy and potential energy-generating projects during a recent forum in Ontario, Calif., said they plan to lease underutilized property for energy development projects by private industry, reports Eduardo Salinas of the Air Force’s Real Property Agency. The service wants to introduce energy projects into the Enhanced Use Lease program, which offers military property to private developers for mutually beneficial endeavors. As the largest energy consumer in DOD, the Air Force is exploring “new energy initiatives and programs at every installation.” Some industry and environmental officials have expressed skepticism about one new USAF effort, producing coal-derived synthetic fuel.
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.