A technology assessment meant to improve combat identification technology is underway now at Nellis AFB, Nev., and Ft. Irwin, Calif. US Joint Forces Command designated USAF as lead for the joint service and multinational Bold Quest 2007, which JFCOM has slated to test a variety of efforts all designed to help reduce friendly fire incidents, reports Army Spc. Andrew Orillion. Among technologies being demonstrated is Northrop Grumman’s recently modified LITENING Advanced Targeting pod, which company VP Mike Lennon says now has “the longest detection and identification ranges of any targeting pod.” The exercise runs through Sept. 19.
Boeing received a $2.47 billion Air Force contract Nov. 25 for 15 more KC-46s, bringing to 183 the number of Pegasus tankers on contract to all customers, foreign and domestic. The new contract—for Lot 12 of the initially planned KC-46 buy—is to be completed by 2029.
