Consistency Achieved: Air Force Research Lab engineers and Aeronautical Systems Center B-2 program officials at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, have agreed on a new process to ensure consistency in production of a new material that will significantly reduce maintenance man-hours on the B-2 bomber fleet. Flight tests validated the use of Alternate High Frequency Material to replace tape covering access panel gaps and fasteners, but AHFM performance proved inconsistent from batch to batch. Within weeks, AFRL “developed and validated a repeatable manufacturing process” for large quantities (500 gallon batches), said Air Force Materiel Command officials.
Loved Ones Mourn 6 Airmen Killed in KC-135 Crash
March 16, 2026
Tributes to the six crew members that died in the KC-135 Stratotanker crash in Iraq have flooded social media since the Pentagon released their identities March 14. They were the first Airmen to die while supporting Operation Epic Fury against Iran.