The Air Force and DARPA have begun a formal collaboration making use of DARPA’s Prognosis program for F-15 and F-16 fighter engines—F100s and F110s. The research agency launched Prognosis a few years ago to develop the means to predict future operating capability or remaining usable life of critical components. Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne last month visited the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center at Tinker AFB, Okla., where he signed a memorandum of agreement for the effort. The jointly funded effort will provide the ALC with a series of engine systems prognosis tools, according to a June 4 Air Force Materiel Command release. The MOA runs through Fiscal 2013.
F-35As from the Vermont Air National Guard have deployed to Puerto Rico in recent days, continuing a major buildup of U.S. Air Force assets in Latin America aimed at combating drug trafficking and pressuring the regime of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
