Air Combat Command officials are going to show of the service’s new F-22A Raptor, recently declared operational, in 2006 but only for what is called a “heritage flyby.” That means they’ll do a photo pass with vintage aircraft but no aerobatics. ACC is working on a demonstration program that would permit the Raptor to make its airshow aerobatic debut in 2007. When it starts the show circuit, expect the new fighter to do a max-performance takeoff even more dramatic than the F-15’s near straight-up opener, as well as extreme angle-of-attack flybys, slow and fast flight, and eye-watering, extremely tight turns.
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.
