Some 60 airmen of the 603rd Air Control Squadron Scorpions who just returned to their home base at Aviano AB, Italy, from months supporting Southwest Asia combat operations, left their forward location with an enhanced command and control system, replacing an old and costly-too-maintain computer-based information system, the AN/TYQ-23, with a state-of-the-art Battlespace Command and Control Center. The BC3 will enable more expeditionary air control operators to manage the combat air space and control radar operations in multiple theaters at the same time. Currently, 71st Expeditionary Air Control Squadron operators track an average of 1,000 different aircraft a day. “The Scorpions came in and left the deployed unit a much better place,” said Maj. Robert Peacock, 71st EACS commander, and added, “Their combat focus was the key to our success.” (Aviano report by TSgt. Michael O’Connor)
The F-47 fighter will be run differently than previous fighter programs and share the same mission systems architecture as the Collaborative Combat Aircraft, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin told the Senate Armed Services Committee. That means advances in one will fuel advances in the other.