The Air Force plans to continue supporting US Central Command with the Blue Devil Block 1 persistent intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance system in Fiscal 2013, said Steven Walker, Air Force deputy assistant secretary for science, technology, and engineering. Blue Devil Block 1 is a suite of high-definition imagery sensors mounted on modified executive aircraft, reported Wired Magazine. Walker said it represents the first-ever integration of wide-area and narrow-field-of-view sensors cued by advanced signals intelligence sensors. “Warfighter feedback on the situational awareness provided by Blue Devil Block 1 has been overwhelmingly positive,” he told House defense authorizers last week. The technology has been “instrumental” in identifying several “high-value individuals” and improvised explosive device emplacements, noted Walker. In Fiscal 2013, the Air Force will support CENTCOM with four Blue Devil Block 1 sorties per day, he said. What is less clear is the future of Blue Devil Block 2, which would combine the sensor suite in a large airship. Last month, Lt. Gen. Larry James, deputy chief of staff for ISR, said the Air Force is mulling whether it can afford to keep such “boutique” ISR capabilities like the Blue Devil airship. (Walker’s prepared testimony)
AETC Readies for 1st Production T-7 Trainer
Dec. 5, 2025
Air Education & Training Command is poised to receive its first T-7A Red Hawk in the coming days, the start of a process that will end with pilots finally getting trained in the eagerly anticipated jet.
