One would think that the C-130J has already “graduated,” considering its made its first combat air drop on June 30 in Southwest Asia. Yet, the newest Hercules has to complete the formal phase 2 of its qualification operational test and evaluation. The C-130Js must complete 24-hour surge operations and interoperability testing with Army equipment and personnel, flying out of Little Rock AFB, Ark., and, in December, cold weather testing from Eielson AFB, Alaska, before it gets a rating of fully operational.
The Space Development Agency says it’s on track to issue its next batch of missile warning and tracking satellite contracts this month after those awards were delayed by the Pentagon’s decision to divert funds from the agency to pay troops during this fall’s prolonged government shutdown.
