The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has designated Hanscom AFB, Mass., as a Voluntary Protection Program Star certified site. It is the first such certification for an active duty Air Force installation. (The Minnesota Air National Guard’s 148th Fighter Wing received an OSHA VPP Star in 2008.) OSHA inspectors reviewed Hanscom’s program in May, including site visits and discussions with employees. “The commitment on behalf of management and employees to VPP was outstanding,” said Bob Sands, OSHA’s Region 1 VPP manager. (Hanscom report by Rhonda Siciliano)
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.