Air Combat Command plans to declare initial operational capability for the modernized A-10 today during a ceremony at Langley AFB, Va. The “new” Warthog—the A-10C—has received “the most significant modifications” in the 30-year history of the A-10 close air support aircraft, according to an ACC announcement. The mods include full sensor integration to provide the Hogs the ability to identify and strike targets from a higher altitude and greater distance with no loss in accuracy and upgraded communications.
Bell Textron has won DARPA's contest for a no-runway, high-speed drone that will prove out technologies useful for special operations forces and possibly the Air Force's Agile Combat Employment concept. Bell's design converts a tiltrotor to a jet-powered aircraft able to fly at up to 450 knots.