Combat Balloon Lifts Off: A host of combat experiments are under way this week during the 2006 Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment, including one that will employ balloons staged in “near space” to aid line-of-sight communications on the ground. Dubbed “Combat Skysat,” the program places a radio repeater-linked to a weather-type balloon in near space—the layer of the atmosphere between aircraft airspace and satellites. The repeater can “bounce” ground transmission, extending the range and making them clearer. The balloon takes about 20 minutes to launch and can stay in the air an average of 12 hours per flight.
Work Has Begun to Adapt Qatari 747 to Fly as Air Force One
Sept. 15, 2025
The Air Force has started modifying a Boeing 747 donated by Qatar for "executive airlift," a spokesperson said Sept. 15. President Donald Trump has said he wants to fly the jet as “Air Force One” since new presidential transports, held up by delays, won't be ready until after his term…
