Iran’s behavior, consisting of irrationality, belligerence, and instability, is turning out to be “the best recruiter” for the US coalition in the Middle East, Joint Staff Director Vice Adm. William Gortney said last week. The members of the Gulf Cooperation Council—most of the nations on the west side of the Persian Gulf—”rush into our coalition” every time Iran takes another threatening step, said Gortney in his address at AFA’s Air & Space Conference. Iran’s rhetoric is “not helping itself” and the nation is “isolating itself” economically, he said. All these steps tend to strengthen US ties to allies in the region, he said, noting that Iran is “scaring” the GCC members.
General Atomics, the maker of one of the Air Force’s first Collaborative Combat Aircraft, has ambitious plans for its family of semi-autonomous drones beyond the FQ-42, including a flying-wing aircraft capable of carrying out both reconnaissance and strike missions. Meanwhile, the Air Force Research Laboratory announced a new program to…