According to Air Force Col. John Daniels, Missile Defense Agency program lead on the Airborne Laser, the oft-quoted figure of $13 billion for the ABL program is wrong. He told a Marshall Institute roundtable audience that the $13 billion included not only development costs but also the cost for seven production aircraft and their operations and support costs over 20-30 years. Unfortunately, Daniels said it’s “hard to yank that out” of ABL brochures. He would not, however, offer a counter figure. Plans now call for MDA to build a second, improved ABL, said Daniels, adding that, until the agency completes studies on just how different the new aircraft will be, he cannot provide revised program costs.
New Air Force PT Uniforms to Hit Shelves in July
May 1, 2024
The Air Force’s new physical training uniforms have been a long time coming. The clothing set was first unveiled in 2021, with a promised 2022 debut. But supply chain issues delayed its arrival multiple times, according to the Air Force. But finally, Airmen are expected to be able to buy…