News Not So Optimistic?: According to Associated Press news service, the British optimism over negotiations with the US to gain access to more technology data on the Joint Strike Fighter could be wishful thinking. Last week, a British spokesman indicated positive movement in talks with DOD officials. Now, British officials reportedly are talking about “back-up” plans that could include dumping the JSF and going with a European fighters.
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.