The contractors offering the US101 aircraft to the Air Force for its CSAR-X program say their vehicle employs a unique rotor design, called the British Experimental Rotor Program (BERP) to prevent brownouts—dust that can envelop an aircraft. At a briefing for reporters May 31, Terry Higginbotham, Agusta Westland’s managing director, commented that brownout prevention came as a surprise, but it is so important that DOD has its researchers studying whether it can be replicated for other helicopters. Among other features, Higginbotham noted that although the US101 has three engines, it could operate with only two. Lockheed Martin is prime contractor for the US101 team, which also include Bell Helicopter.
The Air Force Historical Foundation has recognized two Air Force B-2 Spirit bomber wings among the winners of its 2025-2026 prestigious annual awards, selecting both for their part in Operation Midnight Hammer, the daring raid on Iran’s fortified nuclear weapons sites.
