Boeing Advanced Tactical Laser defeats ground target in flight test

Posted at: Tue Sep 1st, 2009

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Sept. 1, 2009 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and the U.S. Air Force on Aug. 30 defeated a ground target from the air with the Advanced Tactical Laser (ATL) aircraft, demonstrating ATL's first air-to-ground, high-power laser engagement of a tactically representative target.

Hunter UAS successfully completes GPS-guided Viper Strike testing

Posted at: Tue Sep 1st, 2009

HERNDON, Va., Sept. 1, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Hunter Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), in use with the U.S. Army since 1996, has successfully completed testing of the new GPS-guided Viper Strike (VS) weapons system at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. GPS V...

Lockheed leverages sensor capability to improve battlespace awareness

Posted at: Tue Sep 1st, 2009

Denver, Colo., September 1st, 2009 -- Existing on-board sensor capability of tactical fighter aircraft can be leveraged to provide near real-time intelligence and enhanced situational awareness, as demonstrated by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] during the recent U.S. Air Force Empire Challenge exerc...

Defense secretary touts F-35 as heart of future tactical combat aviation

Posted at: Tue Sep 1st, 2009

FORT WORTH, Texas (AFNS) -- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates visited the Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter factory here Aug. 31, assessing progress on what he called "the heart of the future of our tactical combat aviation."&nb...

Secretary Gates to MC-12 workers: Your work is saving troops' lives

Posted at: Tue Sep 1st, 2009

GREENVILLE, Texas (AFNS) -- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates gave a pep talk to employees outfitting the MC-12 Liberty aircraft for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions Aug. 31 here, telling them their work is saving lives on the battlefield. 

Strike Eagles surpass 8,000 combat hours, support unique missions

Posted at: Tue Sep 1st, 2009

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Airmen from the 336th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron achieved a major combat milestone here when they surpassed 8,000 combat hours in the F-15E Strike Eagle while providing security to Coalition forces.