David Walker, the Air Force’s deputy assistant secretary for science and technology, told Congress recently he supports the extension of a rapid technology innovation fund, which allows quick fielding of technologies from small businesses. Speaking before the House Armed Services emerging threats panel March 26, Walker said the Rapid Innovation Fund, first authorized in the Fiscal 2011 defense authorization bill, has attracted more than 2,600 white papers and generated 94 projects for potential development and fielding. The RIF has served to bring in “new and innovative businesses to solve problems that we didn’t have a solution for,” Walker said, and helped transition certain technologies into programs of record that don’t necessarily rise to the level where they’d be addressed with large acquisition efforts. Walker said the F-35 program has been the recipient of several ideas that have allowed the program office to “reduce costs or fix problems on the production line.” USAF has moved to give the program the support of its research laboratories as well, Walker noted and the service looks forward to continuing with it. (Walker prepared testimony)
Pentagon Releases Cost of Living, BAH Rates for 2026
Dec. 30, 2025
The Pentagon will pay cost of living allowances to 127,000 service members in the continental U.S. in 2026, an increase of 66,000 members in 2025. Airmen and Guardians across the U.S. will also receive an average increase of 4.2 percent for their Basic Housing Allowance, compared to the 5.4 percent…
