The first pipeline class of RQ-4B Global Hawk crew chiefs to train from the ground up at the Beale AFB, Calif., schoolhouse graduated training earlier this month. “This course means we can deliver mission-ready RQ-4 crew chiefs to our customer while significantly reducing their on-the-job training workload,” said Det. 21 chief SMSgt. Greg Schumacher. “These airmen are expected to understand more than just landing gear and hydraulics theory,” said instructor TSgt. Maureen Madamba. “They are also the electricians, fuels specialists, and engine technicians … They learn satellite communications, navigation systems,” and intelligence payloads, she added in a Beale release. After completing the maintenance fundamentals course at Sheppard AFB, Texas, the airmen completed Global Hawk specific training at Beale’s 372nd Training Squadron Det. 21 before continuing to assignments at Beale or Grand Forks AFB, N.D., according to the release.
RTX, parent of Raytheon, Collins and Pratt & Whitney, is getting out of the space prime business and focusing on its "strengths" as a maker of space sensors, buses, and components, company COO Chris Calio said during an earnings call.