Uzbekistan has told NATO and its allies that they can no longer use the Central Asian country’s territory or airspace to support operations in Afghanistan. The Uzbeks earlier kicked the US military out of Karshi-Khanabad Air Base—the Pentagon paid its bill for use of the base earlier this month. (DR 11/21/05) The NATO deadline is Jan. 1. According to Associated Press news service, NATO officials say there are other capabilities available to ensure the mission is undeterred.
Lockheed Martin’s proposed autonomous drone, called Vectis, is still on track to fly a prototype by the end of 2027, an official from the company’s Skunk Works division said Sept. 10, and the firm already started work on four more Vectis aircraft.


