DARPA has exercised an 18-month, $25.5 million option with Raytheon to enter phase three of the persistent close air support program, according to a Feb. 4 release. Originally designed for the A-10 Warthog, the PCAS software was expanded in 2013 to develop a platform and sensor agnostic electronics suite, allowing it to be easily integrated onto multiple platforms. PCAS is intended to improve coordination between joint terminal attack controllers, airborne sensor operators, and weapons, states the release. “Our ground troops deserve the quickest response possible when close air support is needed,” said Thomas Bussing, vice president of Raytheon Missile Systems’ Advanced Missile Systems product line. “Raytheon’s PCAS solution is designed to reduce the minutes it takes to deliver that critical support, and give warfighters the most effective protection possible.” Phase three will culminate in a series of flight tests and live-fire demonstrations.
How Miss America 2024 Took the Air Force Somewhere New
Dec. 20, 2024
When 2nd Lt. Madison Marsh became the first ever active service member crowned Miss America on Jan. 14, top Air Force officials recognized a rare opportunity to reach women and girls who otherwise might not consider military service as an option.