The Department of Defense on Feb. 20 announced it annual list of joint capability technology demonstrations and unveiled the collection of foreign systems and defense acquisition challenge offerings that it intends to evaluate. Among the 15 JCTDs are two Air Force projects being conducted for US Pacific Command: the counter-electronics high powered microwave advanced missile project, or CHAMP for short, and the critical runway assessment and repair capability. There is also a US Special Operations Command-led demo of a precision acquisition and weaponized system that aims to integrate low-collateral damage weapons with tactical unmanned aircraft. Of the 24 foreign and DAC systems to be tested (complete list), three are for the Air Force: a 25mm round from Switzerland for the F-35, an advanced infrared expendable decoy, and a portable electrical power supply for aeromedical evacuations.
The Air Force and Boeing agreed to a nearly $2.4 billion contract for a new lot of KC-46 aerial tankers on Nov. 21. The deal, announced by the Pentagon, is for 15 new aircraft in Lot 11 at a cost of $2.389 billion—some $159 million per tail.