A robot-driven VW Touareg named “Stanley” completed the 132-mile Mojave Desert course of the DARPA Grand Challenge in six hours and 53 minutes, using its computers and sensors to navigate rough desert and mountainous terrain. “Stanley” was designed by a team from Stanford University, and competed in a field of 23 autonomous vehicles. The prize: $2 million. (DR, 10/05/05)
Air Force depots are not typically meant for quick repair jobs, but during Operation Epic Fury, the service moved some of its stateside heavy maintenance capability forward to fix battle-damaged aircraft closer to the fight.
