Reports of an end to the fighter firing range dilemma in South Korea seem to have been premature. According to the Korea Times, Seoul’s plan to expand the US Air Force’s use of the Chikdo shooting range and upgrade it with a new electronic scoring system is far from a done deal, primarily because of local opposition. The situation prompted Lt. Gen. Garry Trexler, commander of 7th Air Force, headquartered at Osan AB, South Korea, to publicly state last week that Seoul had 30 days to rectify the situation or US fighters would have to move off the island. (Trexler is retiring soon.)
Shield AI has entered the increasingly crowded field of Collaborative Combat Aircraft, this week announcing its “X-BAT” vehicle that stands out from others by having both vertical takeoff and landing capability and supersonic speed.

