USAF F-15 and F-16 fighters struck targets near Baghdad on Dec. 13. The F-16s fired precision-guided munitions to cut off bridge access for insurgents. The F-15s launched PGMs against a bunker used by enemy forces. On the same day, US Navy F-18s provided close air support for coalition troops that encountered enemy forces near Balad.
Sikorsky is pitching a modified "U-Hawk" version of older UH-60 Black Hawk series helicopters as autonomous resupply aircraft with additional capabilities as missile or drone swarm launchers.