Prototype UAV Returns From War: 
Global Hawk UAV No. 3, a pre-production model, has returned to Edwards AFB, Calif., after spending three years overseas supporting the war on terror. It touched down at Edwards on Feb. 20 and was treated to a celebratory water hosing. Aeronautical Systems Command officials say the UAV logged more than 4,800 combat flight hours. The technology demonstrator, which flew 191 combat sorties out of a total of 249, has been replaced overseas by production Global Hawks.
The Air Force has embraced new technical approaches like open mission systems and rapid software updates for cutting-edge aircraft like the B-21 and Collaborative Combat Aircraft. Increasingly, though, the service is also working to apply these to its older, “legacy” aircraft, officials said this week.