James Dodd, VP of Boeing’s advanced military aircraft, said the company is concentrating its research and development money in seven areas. They are data fusion, electronic warfare and cyber capabilities, precision navigation, directed energy, multiple autonomous vehicle operations, hypersonics, and alternative propulsion and storage. Speaking during an industrial base panel discussion Tuesday at AFA’s Air & Space Conference, Dodd said the government can help keep private aerospace capabilities alive by reforming export controls, reducing requirements, keeping science and technology funded, and “keeping the lines of communication open.” What he called “transparency”—government and industry understanding each other and making things clear about what they want and what can be done—is key, he said.
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.