Communications systems upgrades are coming to the Air Force’s tactical air control party vehicles, C4ISRnet reported Aug. 25. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center awarded iGov a $52.5 million contract to perform the work, slated to be complete by Jan. 28, 2021. According to iGov, the company “will modify Humvees to provide TACP users with embedded software and systems for critical voice, data, and video communications. The mobile communications system effort will allow joint terminal attack controllers to control close air support aircraft from the safety of an armored vehicle while coordinating and conducting joint CAS missions.”
The Air Force plans to add external weapons pylons on the B-1B bomber, both to increase the number of aircraft that can test hypersonic missiles and expand the Lancer’s loadout as USAF transitions to the B-21 bomber.