The Other X-1 Pilot: Chalmers “Slick” Goodlin, who lost the ride of a lifetime in the 1940s when he resigned as the Bell X-1 test pilot over a contract dispute, died last month at age 82. Goodlin had made 26 flights in the X-1, but the sound barrier-breaking flight would go to Air Force Capt. Chuck Yeager. Goodlin served with the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II and became a US Navy test pilot.
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.