Lockheed Martin received a $40.3 million order for Paveway II laser guidance and control kits for the 500- and 2,000-pound bomb under an ongoing production contract, the company announced. The GBU-10 and GBU-12 seeker units incorporate an upgraded, more accurate homing capability, and will be delivered starting next June, according to the Nov. 11 company release. “This contract extends US Air Force production at our Archbald, Pa., facility through first quarter 2016,” said Joe Serra, company guided weapons manager. The order is the eighth awarded under a $475 million, five-year arrangement, according to the release.
The first live-fly dogfights pitting artificial intelligence against human pilots took place last fall, and more tests are planned as the Air Force prepares to launch the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, DARPA and Air Force test officials reported.