A USAF Predator UAV and A-10s, along with RAF GR-7s, provided close air support on Aug. 24 to coalition troops who came under fire from anti-coalition militia in two locations in Afghanistan. The Warthogs used a combination of general-purpose 500-pound bombs, rockets, and 30mm cannon rounds.
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…