The Air Force awarded Raytheon a contract to build rapidly deployable air traffic control systems, according to a May 20 company release. The contract, with a potential value of up to $260 million, calls for Raytheon to supply one test Deployable Radar Approach Control system and up to 18 production units; the Air Force has already authorized $50.6 million toward early development, states the release. “Our deployable system capitalizes on many years of investment and testing, and will support safe and efficient airspace operations in areas where air traffic infrastructure is compromised or non-existent,” said Joseph Paone, Raytheon’s air traffic management director. D-RAPCON consists of a transportable antenna plus three trailer-sized shelters that house radar equipment, communications systems, and an operations center, states the release.
Members of the Air Force Reserve’s 920th Rescue Wing helped save 11 airplane crash survivors off the coast of Florida on May 12. The Reserve Airmen were flying an HC-130J Combat King II and an HH-60W Jolly Green II on a routine training flight when a Coast Guard call diverted…