Fielding new technologies in the war on terror is a big priority for director of defense research and engineering, John Young. Speaking to defense reporters Thursday, Young described some of the fielded DOD projects, including a biometric tool that collects fingerprints and iris scans at controlled facilities being used in Iraq and with the Department of Homeland Security. He expects to see fielded soon such projects as an aerostat camera with acoustic, infrared radars to let operators determine the source of a blast or shot. Other developing projects include an improvised explosive device jammer and an automated language program that can translate Arabic into English—no human needed on the spot.
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.
