Raytheon has delivered its first R7 high-speed anti-radiation missile (HARM) pod to the Air Force, designed to find and identify ground-based emitters. The R7 HARM targeting system is the first upgraded pod to be equipped with new hardware and software, including a GPS receiver. The HARM system allows the pilot to find emitters that can then be destroyed by precision guided munitions. All the current Air Force HTS pods will be upgraded to R7 in the next two years, according to a Raytheon statement.
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.
