The 8th Fighter Wing at Kunsan AB, South Korea, has received the first four of newly upgraded Block 40 F-16s. The wing’s current Block 40 Vipers do not have the Common Configuration Implementation Program upgrades that include enhanced avionics, featuring a modular mission computer, Link 16 communications system, and helmet-mounted cueing system, reports SSgt. Alice Moore. Pilots of the wing’s 80th Fighter Squadron flew the aircraft from Eielson AFB, Alaska, to Kunsan, where the 80th FS will be the first unit to fly the upgraded fighters. The wing expects to receive more CCIP aircraft in spring 2008.
General Atomics, the maker of one of the Air Force’s first Collaborative Combat Aircraft, has ambitious plans for its family of semi-autonomous drones beyond the FQ-42, including a flying-wing aircraft capable of carrying out both reconnaissance and strike missions. Meanwhile, the Air Force Research Laboratory announced a new program to…