Believe it or not, weapons specialists at Whiteman AFB, Mo., have managed to fit a mock-up of the Massive Ordnance Penetrator—a 30,000-pound class weapon yet to enter production—in a mock-up of the B-2 bomber. Northrop Grumman got a contract last summer to begin the MOP integration effort for the B-2, expected to carry two MOPs in its internal weapons bays. Don’t confuse MOP with the 21,000-pound Massive Ordnance Air Blast, also known as the Mother of All Bombs for its acronym MOAB, which the Russians claim to have bested with the Father of All Bombs. (Whiteman report by A1C Stephen Linch)
The Air Force's new Aircraft Readiness Unit will maintain and provide Collaborative Combat Aircraft for operations, but won’t serve as a “schoolhouse” teaching fighter pilots how to manage these escort drones.