Air Force Space Command has transitioned its wide-reaching contract for space and missile capabilities from its headquarters level to the 21st Space Wing. The wing’s program management division now oversees the prime contractors for this important work, which includes professional support services; studies, analyses, and evaluations; and engineering and technical services, said AFSPC officials in a May 21 release. The contract runs through August 2015 and has a $450 million ceiling, they said. “The transition to PMD was both necessary and logical,” said Col. Chris Crawford, 21st Space Wing commander, noting that the PMD “has more than 275 years of combined program and quality management experience.” Edmund Bohn, the division’s director, added: “Fortunately, we are a very innovative and disciplined operation with proven processes.” (Peterson release)
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.