The Air Force has invested $7.5 million to replace the B-52 bomber’s weapons testers—the equipment that certifies the elderly bombers can still release their weapons. The Oklahoma Air Logistics Center at Tinker AFB, Okla., signed a contract with Boeing earlier this year for the work under what’s called the multi-user system tester-armament next generation—MUSTANG—program. MUSTANG will replace three different testers, two of which date from the 1970s, reports the Tinker Take-Off newspaper. Boeing is to complete its work by May 2007.
As L3Harris proves its OA-1K Skyraider II special operations aircraft can carry a signals intelligence sensor and electronic attack weapon, a key congressional committee is poised to boost production of the converted Air Tractor prop plane.