The Air Force on Sept. 19 activated the 2nd Weather Group at Offutt AFB, Neb., where it became part of the Air Force Weather Agency, joining the 1st WXG, activated last year. G.A. Volb reports that the new group, which completes the agency restructure, provides a direct leadership level for three squadrons—2nd Systems Operations Squadron ad 2nd Weather Squadron at Offutt and 14th WXS (formerly the Combat Climatology Center) at Asheville, N.C.—that were grouped under the agency’s A-staff. Col. Richard Twigg, AFWA vice commander and commander of 2nd WXG, said the activation of his new unit is “the conclusion of a plan to clearly distinguish ongoing operations from planning and support functions.”
General Atomics, the maker of one of the Air Force’s first Collaborative Combat Aircraft, has ambitious plans for its family of semi-autonomous drones beyond the FQ-42, including a flying-wing aircraft capable of carrying out both reconnaissance and strike missions. Meanwhile, the Air Force Research Laboratory announced a new program to…