Three Air Force crews flying B-2A Spirit bombers hit 16 out of 16 targets with live GPS-Aided Targeting System/GPS-Aided Munition (GATS/GAM) weapons during a test at the Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., range. The crews from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., drop the 2,000-pound weapons from 41,000 feet and record 13 direct hits; three bombs record heavy damage and one is functionally damaged. The Northrop-developed GAM will serve as an interim weapon until USAF fields the new Joint Direct Attack Munition.
When it comes to aviation technology, the spotlight often shines on faster jets, stronger engines, or stealthier designs. Yet sometimes the most impactful innovations solve problems that have quietly plagued aviators for decades. This year, for the 2025 Airforce Technology Excellence...