The Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards AFB, Calif., awarded graduate degrees for the first time ever earlier this month after completing a five-year accreditation process in May. During a graduation ceremony on June 7, 18 students from Class 07B received master of science degrees in flight test engineering. “This is a tremendous accomplishment for the school, the TPS staff, Edwards, [Air Force Materiel Command], and the Air Force,” said Col. Mike Luallen, commandant of the school. From November 2003 to April 2008, TPS worked through a series of processes with the Department of Education, Congress, and Southern Association of Colleges and School to get the school’s 48-week curriculum accredited to a master’s program. (Edwards report by SrA. Julius Delos Reyes)
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.
