F-16 maintainers at Shaw AFB, S.C., are testing lightweight tablet devices to gauge whether they could replace laptop technical references on the flight line. “The iPads make it a lot easier to get a hold of an expediter,” said SrA. Matthew Leke, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, in Shaw’s May 2 release. “You can just put their name in the chat and send them a message” instead of waving down supervisors from across the flight line, he added. The ruggedized laptops currently used to view technical orders detailing procedures for every action on the flight line are heavy, need frequent recharging, and require a common access card to unlock. Some 275 maintainers are assessing the iPads’ reliability and performance through mid June during Air Combat Command’s trial, according to the release. “There have been zero broken iPads so far,” said ACC’s evaluation chief, SMSgt. Ed Dierkens. “Initial feedback is very positive,” he said. (Shaw report by SSgt. Kenny Holston)
Details Murky as ARRW Falls Short in Second Test
March 24, 2023
The second all-up flight of the AGM-183A Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon on March 13 fell short of a fully successful test, but the Air Force isn’t saying what went wrong with the Lockheed Martin-built hypersonic missile. The defense giant's Missiles and Fire Control division recently said the ARRW is "ready…