The Air Force has inactivated the Force Protection Battlelab at Lackland AFB, Tex., as part of a money-saving effort that targeted all seven of its battlelabs. The Force Protection Battlelab, created in 1997, completed some 200 projects, including a pathogen detection device, credited with saving thousands of lives, reports Carolyn Lyon. A newly formed Force Protection Innovation Division under the Air Force Security Forces Center is expected to carry on some of that work.
The Air Force expects to start modifying its first B-52H Stratofortress bomber with new engines and other upgrades later this year, following the successful review of the Commercial Engine Replacement Program’s design.