The Air Force’s second CV-22 Osprey has arrived at Edwards AFB, Calif., two months earlier than the contract due date. A third Osprey will join No. 2 and No. 1—now undergoing electromagnetic testing at NAS Patuxent River, Md.,—at Edwards in February. The Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center unit at Edwards plans to use the first three Ospreys to conduct operational utility evaluations next summer. If the Ospreys check out OK, USAF officials said they would send them to Kirtland AFB, N.M., to begin training operations next fall. They expect the initial operational test and evaluation phase to commence in fall 2007.
The Pentagon’s Joint Interagency Task Force 401 took a step toward making an Amazon-like online marketplace for counter-drone tech a reality this week with its first acquisition under the Replicator 2 effort.
