The United States Air Force has initiated a strategic move to enhance its infrastructure by inviting proposals to develop what it describes as “underutilized” land across five of its bases. This effort aligns with President Donald Trump’s executive orders aimed at accelerating the nation’s integration of artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities.
The solicitation seeks creative development proposals for Arnold Air Force Base in Tennessee, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona, Edwards Air Force Base in California, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey, and Robins Air Force Base in Georgia. The call for proposals was initially reported by Breaking Defense.
Robert Moriarty, the Air Force’s deputy assistant secretary for installations, emphasized the critical role of data centers in maintaining America’s leadership in technological innovation. “AI is transforming the modern world, and these data centers are crucial for America to remain at the forefront of innovation,” he shared in a statement to Defense News.
The directive follows two executive orders issued by President Trump aimed at expediting the construction of data centers necessary for AI development. The July order directed the Department of Defense to pinpoint military installations suitable for data center infrastructure and to lease the land competitively.
While the Air Force has not specified if these data centers will serve military projects or external organizations, an official noted, “This is an opportunity for outside organizations.”
Proposals are due by November 14, with selections expected to be announced in January. Post-award, the Air Force plans to conduct environmental evaluations and further refine the design.
The lease proposal encompasses approximately 3,100 acres across the five bases, with over 2,100 acres at Edwards Air Force Base. Edwards is a significant site in the California desert, frequently used for testing advanced aircraft like the B-21 Raider bomber and the T-7 Red Hawk trainer.
The criteria for project proposals include a requirement for more than 100 megawatts of new load and a minimum investment of $500 million. Lease agreements are capped at 50 years, though extensions may be granted if deemed beneficial for national defense or governmental interests.
