The Air Force this summer quietly deployed MQ-9 Reapers to Tunisia to fly reconnaissance missions over Libya as part of the anti-ISIS mission there. The Washington Post reported Thursday that the deployment began in June and that the aircraft were not armed. The Reapers mostly focused on Sirte, where ISIS fighters were dug in for a prolonged battle against Government of National Accord forces. US aircraft have been busy in the fight in Libya, flying 351 airstrikes since Aug. 1, according to US Africa Command. Aircraft on Oct. 26 flew six strikes, all targeting vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices in Sirte.
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.
