A-10 Thunderbolt IIs taxi to a parking spot on the flight line at Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal, Oct. 9, 2014. The jets flew in as part of a coronet, which is the term the Air Force uses to describe the movement of jets coming in, refueling, and departing the island. (Air Force photo by SSgt. Zachary Wolf.) (Click on image above to reach wallpaper version.)
The Air Force has embraced new technical approaches like open mission systems and rapid software updates for cutting-edge aircraft like the B-21 and Collaborative Combat Aircraft. Increasingly, though, the service is also working to apply these to its older, “legacy” aircraft, officials said this week.