The new hangar at the National Museum of the US Air Force at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, is set to open to the public June 8. The 224,000 square foot building—built with $40.8 million raised by the Air Force Museum Foundation—will display the VC-137C (SAM 26000) that flew John F. Kennedy’s body to Washington, D.C., the C-141C Hanoi Taxi, and the only remaining XB-70 Valkyrie, along with many other aircraft, vehicles, and artifacts, according to a May 17 release. Four galleries—presidential, research and development, space, and global reach—and three learning nodes will be housed in the building. A ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9:15 a.m. will kick off the opening, according to the release. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m., and the first 100 guest over the age of 16 will receive a $10 gift card that can be used at the museum. More activities are scheduled for the weekend of June 11-12.
The Space Force is preparing for significant growth to its procurement budget in fiscal 2027, and the head of the service’s largest acquisition organization said April 14 he is asking companies to invest now in facilities and production capacity so they’re ready to execute when called upon.