AFRC Wants Noise-reducing Earpieces:
Lt. Gen. John A. Bradley, AFRC commander, is out to purchase as many Attenuating Custom Communications Earpiece System (ACCES) devices as he can to spread them around the command. The Air Force Research Lab-designed earpieces are “phenomenal,” says Bradley, who flew with a pair during F-16 sorties earlier this month. The devices not only reduce noise, but also enable clearer cockpit radio communication. He thinks all aircrews and maintainers should get the ear plugs, primarily because they will help reduce hearing loss. How to pay for them? Bradley has instructed his command to use 2006 fallout funds, failing that he encourages individual unit commanders to use unit funds.
Members of the House Armed Services Committee say the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile program has been set back three months due to the ongoing government shutdown. The comment is noteworthy because the JATM's status has been kept tightly under wraps.

