The International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan said in a release that a bomb dropped during a close air support strike “probably” killed three British soldiers on Aug. 23 in southern Afghanistan. A statement from the British Ministry of Defence attributed the accident to one of two USAF F-15s, saying that “one bomb was dropped and it is believed the explosion killed the three soldiers.” Stars and Stripes reports that the F-15s were from RAF Lakenheath, Britain, quoting ISAF spokesman Army Lt. Col. David Accetta. ISAF has initiated an investigation.
A combined Navy and Air Force program is seeking to build a smaller version of a ubiquitous air-to-air missile that could give advanced aircraft, such as the Collaborative Combat Aircraft, greater magazine depth in a high-end fight.