According to a Dec. 3 release from the Air Force Flight Standards Agency, the agency participated in testing of a new joint precision approach and landing system, which can provide landing guidance similar to the current instrument landing system—but JPALS is portable. It can fit into two backpacks and be set up in under 30 minutes. It also beats the ILS by enabling aircraft to actively avoid rough terrain and potential enemies rather than requiring a long, straight-in landing approach. (Report by Maj. Martin Towey.)
A-10 Thunderbolt II attack planes in the Middle East are flying with fresh modifications as the Air Force looks to make the plane more versatile amid America’s ongoing blockade of Iranian ports and a tenuous ceasefire in the U.S. air war against Iran.