BAE Systems has announced it received a $3.3 million contract to transition a full-scale development model of a rapid deployment-capable to a production-ready station to test electronic attack pods used with F-15, F-16, and A-10 aircraft. The portable tester will check out ALQ-131 and ALQ-184 EA pods to enable “fast-turnaround repairs,” stated a company news release. The Air Force expects BAE to complete the FSD transition phase by 2008. In the next phase of the program, BAE would produce up to 100 testers.
The U.S. military is sending more fighter jets to the Middle East to step up its war with Iran, adding to what is already the largest buildup of airpower in the region since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. For now, the operation shows little sign of coming to a quick…