The Air Force has chosen Northrop Grumman to research whether its feasible to build a mobility aircraft that can fly at high subsonic speeds but switch to low speeds for takeoff and landings—and land on an austere field. The tall order is part of the Air Force Research Lab’s Integrated Propulsion, Lift, and Control program. Northrop, which will work with NASA, General Electric Aircraft Engines, and the Georgia Tech Research Institute, is expected to conclude the $1.43 million effort in September 2007.
As the Air Force readied for its June 21-22 strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, the service was also putting its Agile Combat Employment strategy into action, dispersing combat aircraft and Airmen from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar in preparation for a possible Iranian retaliatory attack. Some defense experts say…
