The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has achieved a major breakthrough in laser technology for aircraft with its recent successful flight-test campaign. The project, known as HARDROC (Hybrid Aero-Effect Reducing Design with Realistic Optical Components), brings us closer to the future of directed energy laser systems integrated onto aircraft.
In a collaborative effort involving multiple organizations, the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) recently carried out radiometric data gathering on two C-130H aircraft. The purpose of this initiative was to compare the heat signatures of the two aircraft and utilize the collected data to update and validate their signature in GTRI modeling and simulation. The ultimate goal is to enhance the aircraft’s flare pattern effectiveness against adversarial infrared threats.
A team from Hanscom Air Force Base recently completed a major upgrade on an E-767 Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AWACS) jet, which has now been returned to Japan. The International AWACS Division of the Digital Directorate, based in Hanscom, provided the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) with a mission computing upgrade (MCU) for one of their AWACS aircraft, along with supporting ground systems for mission planning and training at several Japanese air bases.
The U.S. government has taken legal action by filing a lawsuit seeking damages of over $5.7 million following a collision between a civilian skydiving plane and a parked Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey. The incident occurred on May 30, 2020, at Brown Field Municipal Airport in San Diego, California. The collision resulted in significant damage to the Osprey, prompting the government to hold multiple parties accountable for the repair and transportation costs.
A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263, Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response- Africa conducts an external load operation during exercise Sky Soldier, La Felipe drop zone, Spain, Feb. 27, 2016. SPMAGTF-CR-AF participated in exercise Sky Soldier which promotes interoperability between Marine Corps Aviation assets and American and Spanish Airborne and Air Mobile forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Kassie L. McDole/Released)