US Joint Forces Command has asked defense industry and academics to help develop “sophisticated 3D imagery that displays geospatial data for all elements of power, including political, military, economic, and social, infrastructure, and information.” While it sounds like JFCOM is looking for “whiz-bang” games, Air Force Maj. Nicole Blatt explained to some 300 attendees at a visualization technology forum that warfighters “need a balance between the wow and the easily accessible and usable data.” The command thinks it’s high time universities crank out “visualization engineers.”
Expanded production of the B-21 bomber can be accomplished at Northrop Grumman's existing Palmdale, Calif., facilities, the Air Force said. It also said test aircraft will be so simular to the production version that early examples could be used in combat if called for.