President Barack Obama has nominated Maj. Gen. John Thompson for a third star and for assignment as commander of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, according to a Defense Department release. Thompson has served as the Air Force’s program executive officer for tankers since January 2013. If confirmed, he will replace Lt. Gen. C.D. Moore, who has led AFLCMC since July 2012.
The Pentagon's Office of Strategic Capital is giving a $150 million conditional loan to Rocket Lab meant to increase the launch rate for its new reusable Neutron rocket, which is slated for its first flight next year.