We have the memo (mentioned in our Friday column) that South Dakota Republican Sen. John Thune wrote to the BRAC commission. In it, he says the Air Force misinformed the commission about the potential impact of litigation over the bomber training range used by the B-1Bs at Dyess AFB, Tex. The Pentagon wants to close Ellsworth AFB, S.D., and move its B-1Bs to Dyess. As an aside,Thune says he does not advocate shifting the Dyess bombers to Ellsworth.
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.