The Electronic Systems Center at Hanscom AFB, Mass., is looking to industry for ways to detect and defeat person-borne improvised explosive devices, more commonly known as suicide bombers. According to a solicitation issued Monday, center officials seek a sensor-based system with a high accuracy rate that can detect IEDs located anywhere on a person’s body. Specifically, the Air Force is looking for a rugged and reliable system with automatic detection capabilities that can visually and/or audibly announce positive detection of a PBIED “without an operator in the loop,” states a request for information on the Federal Business Opportunities website. The system must be easily portable, require minimal operator training, and complete a full scan in less than one minute. Industry is asked to submit their ideas by Oct. 1.
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.