The declaration by Gov. Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania that his plan to preserve Willow Grove as a military airfield does not include commercial or civilian aviation only goes as far as the next election. So says Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-Pa.) who is looking for a legislative means to make that plan gold even after Rendell leaves office, reports the Bucks County Courier Times. Rendell, who fought a rear guard action by some Pennsylvania residents who feel there is no fail-safe against civilian and commercial air, was able to secure legislative approval for his plan, trumping a procedural objection from the Navy.
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.
