According to the Clovis News Journal, only one entity has put in a bid to house operations at Cannon AFB, N.M., and that is Air Force Special Operations Command. The Air Force mounted a PR blitz to show off the base, which must find a new mission by 2010 or face closure, to DOD and other government agencies. Neighboring Arizonans even sought to shift some of their unwanted military aircraft operations to Cannon.
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.