Boeing’s A160T Hummingbird unmanned helicopter soon will be equipped to carry signals intelligence payloads and BAE Systems’ Autonomous Real-time Ground Ubiquitous Surveillance-Imaging System, or ARGUS-IS, reports FlightGlobal. DARPA signed a $12.8 million contract with Boeing, which is expected to demonstrate the new capabilities by the end of May 2011. ARGUS-IS is designed to continuously track and detect thousands of targets over large areas. Boeing has already tested Hummingbird with foliage-penetrating radar. (See also Humming Along from the Daily Report archives)
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.