The full Senate after floor debate Thursday confirmed Gen. George Casey Jr. as the next Army Chief of Staff. His nomination riled several lawmakers, making it out of the Senate Armed Services Committee but, unlike the relatively easy pass through for Adm. William Fallon to replace Casey as head of US Central Command, it was the subject of floor debate Thursday afternoon.
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.