Editor's NoteMQ-9A Block 5 to Get New Self-Protection Pod Next Year - May 9 Next year, the Block 5 Extended Range version of the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) MQ-9A Reaper drone is to receive a self-protection pod developed by GA-ASI in concert with U.S.…
AI & AutonomyReliable Robotics Gains Fresh Funding for Autonomous Flight Tech - March 26, AIN The autonomous flight and aviation company Reliable Robotics announced two contracts from the Defense Department and NASA that will help it bring remotely piloted aircraft to market, AIN reported. Reliable and Ohio…
AI & AutonomyCarmaker model may yield cheaper drone wingmen: Air Force Research Lab - Defense News, March 6 The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is looking at the platform sharing concept that has been standard practice in carmaking for decades, which could make autonomous drones more affordable, Defense News reported.…
Advanced TechnologyReplacing F-35 PTMS May Cost $3 Billion, Honeywell Estimates Whether and when the Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter will need a new Power and Thermal Management System (PTMS) or an upgrade has been a matter of debate within industry and the F-35 program.…
Advanced TechnologyUSAF Moving to Field KC-46A Communications "Backbone" DAYTON, Ohio – The U.S. Air Force intends to field a communications “backbone” for the Boeing KC-46A Pegasus in the next year in Capability Release 1 (CR1) of the service’s Advanced Battle…
Embedded AvionicsMitigating Risks in the Commercial Microelectronics Supply Chain The Department of the Air Force reviewed the Microelectronics Quantifiable Assurance efforts by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, as directed by the National Defense Authorization…
Military4th Component Maintenance Squadron Team Handles Avionics Repairs for F-15 Flight Deck At Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina, a 68-person team from the 4th Component Maintenance Squadron avionics backshop is responsible for repairing critical flight instruments in the F-15 flight deck.…
MilitaryU.S. Air Force Kicks Off Launch Control Center Block Upgrades for Minuteman III The U.S. Air Force 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo. and Northrop Grumman [NOC] began Launch Control Center Block Upgrades (LCCBU) this month to modernize support equipment for the Boeing…
MilitaryNorthrop Grumman Touts B-21 Benefit In First Quarter; Income, Sales Slip Northrop Grumman on Thursday posted first quarter results that included a boost from its ongoing development work on the Air Force’s B-21 next-generation stealth bomber. The $67 million benefit on the B-21…
MilitaryCombat Mission Flight Test Demonstrates Manned-Unmanned Teaming Technology From BAE Systems In conjunction with the Office of the Deputy Secretary of Defense’s Strategic Capabilities Office, defense and aerospace company BAE Systems performed a successful flight test demonstrating advanced manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) technology. The…