The HH-60W Jolly Green II combat search-and-rescue helicopter has begun live-fire testing of its three primary weapons–the GAU-2, GAU-18 and GAU-21.

A standard timeline for awarding an MQ-9 contract after an acquisition decision was 380 days, or 12.5 months, but now the terms have been pre-negotiated.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems debuted its MQ-9 Block 5 Ghost Reaper concept at the U.S. Air Force’s largest trade show, rebranding the counterinsurgency platform to fit the service’s vision for the Advanced Battle Management System.

Lockheed has established new testing and manufacturing facilities to support a notional plan to transition a self-defense laser pod to a tactical aircraft by 2025.

The potential follow-on order is one of three options in consideration for the Navigation Technology Satellite program (NTS)-3.

Aviation Week editors discuss the roots of the service’s Next Generation Air Dominance program, its use of digital engineering to speed development and some of the obstacles it may face in the future.

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