An F-16 assigned to the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw AFB, S.C., collided with a Cessna 150 around 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, approximately 11 miles north of Charleston, Air Combat Command spokesman Capt. A.J. Schrag told Air Force Magazine. Maj. Aaron Johnson, the F-16 pilot from the 55th Fighter Squadron, “survived the collision by ejecting from his fighter,” according to a base release. He was transported to the medical clinic at JB Charleston, S.C., “for examination and treatment if necessary,” states the release. National Transportation Safety Board spokesman Peter Knudson told Air Force Magazine it’s not clear how many people were aboard the Cessna, but he said it was “an unsurvivable accident.” Shaw issued a release Tuesday afternoon, saying, “Our thoughts are with the friends and family of anyone aboard the civilian aircraft.” A team of investigators is convening to determine the cause of the accident, Schrag added. (Shaw release)
Northrop Grumman took a $477 million loss on the B-21 bomber program in the first quarter; executives said the expense will both cover unexpected materials costs and make it possible to accelerate production of the aircraft, if that’s something the Air Force wants to do.