The Air Force would like to start the development of a new podded electronic attack system in Fiscal 2011 that would be carried by manned platforms or unmanned aircraft to jam enemy communications and remotely controlled improvised explosive devices in irregular warfare scenarios, Maj. Gen. David Scott, requirements chief on the Air Staff, told House defense overseers Wednesday. It is not meant for use against sophisticated air defense radars as opposed to other jamming pods in the US military’s inventory. Scott said this new pod would work in concert with EC-130H Compass Call communications jamming aircraft (See Answering the Call above). According to Air Force 2011 budget documents, the service has requested nearly $20 million to commence this effort next year. (For more on the pod, read Electronic Warfare Meets Austerity from the January 2010 issue of Air Force Magazine.)
The last remaining T-1 Jayhawk at JBSA-Randolph, Texas, took its final flight to the "Boneyard" at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., on July 15. The 99th Flying Training Squadron will train pilots using T-6 and simulator until it gets T-7 Red Hawk in fiscal 2026.