Air Combat Command now has enough of the new earplugs developed by Air Force Research Lab and commercial companies for all its pilots, who praise the plugs because they not only block noise but also enable radio communication. Before the custom-molded Attenuating Custom Communications Earpiece System, USAF used foam sound-blocking plugs that unfortunately also hampered voices coming over the pilot’s headset. Working with Westone Labs, which also markets the earpieces to commercial customers, the Air Force now is getting the devices for less than $300 per set. (ACC report by A1C Kate Lozier)
The Pentagon has concluded a new agreement to buy laser-guidance kits that turn rockets into drone-killing weapons. BAE Systems and the Defense Department announced a framework deal of up to seven years for 25,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System guidance kits annually for the U.S. military.