Members of the 853rd Electronic Systems Group at Hanscom AFB, Mass., anticipate releasing the solicitation for a deployable instrument landing system in May, awarding the contract in June, and fielding the new capability in 2013. This D-ILS is envisioned to provide the same capability that the existing larger fixed-base systems that guide aircraft on final landing approach in low visibility and low ceiling weather conditions. But it designed to be much more transportable—fitting into a single C-130 transport as opposed to multiple airlifters—and much easier to maintain in theater. Col. Jimmie Schuman, 853rd ELSG commander, said D-ILS will allow airmen to convert a bare base into an operating airfield, augment an existing airfield, or temporarily restore landing capabilities at damaged airfields during humanitarian operations. (Hanscom report by Patty Welsh)
An important U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry AWACS command and control plane was among the aircraft damaged in a March 27 Iranian missile and drone attack on Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, people familiar with the matter told Air & Space Forces Magazine.