The Air Force has chosen a Montana-based business to build 243 modified Ford F-130 trucks that are prototypes for use as flight-line tractors. The vehicles will move aircraft around on tarmacs, using a telescoping, rotating center hitch that the company—International Truck Body—is pursuing a patent for, reports the Great Falls (Mont.) Tribune. If the first year of the contract goes well for the planned five-year, $29 million deal, the company could sell 1,200 of the tractors to the Air Force.
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.