Air Force stands up B-21 integration office

The Air Force this month stood up a B-21 integration office aimed at easing communication between the chief of staff and the many organizations involved in developing the new Long-Range Strike Bomber.

Air Force Global Strike Command chief Gen. Robin Rand told reporters following a July 14 House Armed Services strategic forces subcommittee hearing that the office is located in the Pentagon and is modeled off the F-35 integration office, which the service stood up much later into the Joint Strike Fighter program.

"We were later in doing that," he said. "We're right on the front edge now. Our timing is perfect. . . . For now, the chief needs the ability to reach out and touch and it's just easier for us."

Rand described the office as a "funnel point" for the rapid capabilities office -- which is managing the program -- AFGSC, the chief, and prime contractor Northrop Grumman. He said AFGSC talks with the leader of the new office daily and has monthly meetings with Rand and the head of the RCO.

"We can just compare notes and then he can give us guidance and say, 'This is where the chief's at on this,'" Rand said.