Air Force officials at Kirtland AFB, N.M., have leased eight acres of base land to New Mexico Tech’s Institute of Mining and Technology under a provision of federal law that permits assignment of an Enhanced Use Lease of underused military property to public and private groups, primarily as a draw for technology efforts. As part of the agreement, USAF officials will utilize 300 acres on the west side of the base to develop Kirtland Technology Park, which will house four million square feet of office space and laboratory and light industrial space.
The new defense reconciliation bill includes $7.2 billion for Air Force and Navy aviation accounts, almost half of which will buy more F-15EXs. While electronic warfare, drones, connectivity and airlift all get attention, the F-35 was conspicuously absent from the package, with no explanation given.