The 28th Bomb Wing is building a new facility to repair and extend the life of B-1 bombers, according to a press release. The facility will allow maintainers to use “cold spray” technology—developed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War—to repair aircraft parts that would not otherwise be repairable. It is expected to be fully operational by May, allowing for full integration of the “cold spray” process. The Air Force has had trouble finding parts for the aging B-1 because companies have stopped making them. “We need this capability and other additive manufacturing capabilities at the field level so the 28th [Maintenance Group] commander and high technicians have the ability to repair or restore assets we currently have,” said Brian James, the 28th MXG’s senior engineering and technical advisor. James said the capability will increase aircraft availability and decrease the amount of downtime between maintenance actions.
Navy CCA Program’s Shape Coming into Focus
Oct. 17, 2025
In announcing its Navy Collaborative Combat Aircraft contract, General Atomics has provided some clues as to where the service is heading with its version of an armed, autonomous fighter escort. It will likely be quite different from the Air Force version.
