The tech heads with the Air Force Research Laboratory, headquartered at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, are busy developing a new integrated oxygen sensor—one that helps reduce the risk of explosions caused by fuel tank fires. A process called “fuel tank inerting”—essentially keeping the oxygen level low enough so the contents could not burn even if there is a spark. There’s still a ways to go—like developing a sensor to directly monitor the oxygen content in the tank—but this could prevent accidents like the 1996 TWA Flight 800 explosion over the Atlantic Ocean, says AFRL officials.
F-35As from the Vermont Air National Guard have deployed to Puerto Rico in recent days, continuing a major buildup of U.S. Air Force assets in Latin America aimed at combating drug trafficking and pressuring the regime of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
