The Air Force plans to outline its science and technology priorities to members of industry and academia during the “Wright Dialogues” at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, July 22-24. Maj. Gen. Thomas Masiello, commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory, and Lt. Gen. C.D. Moore, commander of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, will speak at the “industry-hosted collaboration event,” according to a July 16 release. “It is vitally important that AFRL engage with our industry and academia partners to highlight our requirements and research interests,” said Masiello. “We need to communicate our S&T priorities and where there are gaps and opportunities in areas like cyber, autonomy, and next-generation aerospace.” Masiello said the industry days also provide USAF with “valuable feedback on industry capabilities and emerging technologies that show promise.” Wright Dialogues will focus on technical discussions on eight “key technology focus areas,” including next-gen aerospace, space and nuclear, weapons, ISR, human performance, C4, affordability and sustainment, and electronic warfare/electronic protection, states the release. “We defend America by unleashing the power of innovative air and space technology,” Masiello said. “It’s the combined ecosystem of government, academia, small business, and large business, working in collaboration which enables that.”
The Air Force is placing Air Combat Command in charge of teaching combat tactics to fighter and remotely-piloted aircraft units, according to a May 12 announcement. Beginning this summer, the service will reassign the formal training units for the F-35, F-16, and MQ-9 from Air Education and Training Command to…