It’s called the P5 Combat Training System, and it’s purpose is to provide “rangeless operation and real-time monitoring,” according to officials at Eglin AFB, Fla. The P5 eliminates the guesswork for a range training officer, enabling the RTO to “provide real-time feedback to the pilots on how to improve a particular engagement and have them repeat it if necessary,” said project manager Maj. Scott Foreman. The pod records and can relay time, space, and position and provide real-time kill notification. Eglin expects to complete flight-testing this month.
Expanded production of the B-21 bomber can be accomplished at Northrop Grumman's existing Palmdale, Calif., facilities, the Air Force said. It also said test aircraft will be so simular to the production version that early examples could be used in combat if called for.