Air Education and Training Command recently began a beta test at Columbus AFB, Miss., to gauge the viability of using commercial electronic tablets as part of the curriculum for specialized undergraduate pilot training. “No other base is doing exactly what we are doing,” said 1st Lt. Justin Davison of Columbus’ 14th Communications Squadron in the base’s mid-February release. “As far as training goes, this is the first time these have been deployed in a SUPT class,” he said. The beta test began on Jan. 15 when seven SUPT students from 50th Flying Training Squadron received Samsung tablets for their T-38 curriculum. “It is a new way of education and a new way of learning,” said Capt. Bill Staley of the 14th Student Squadron. The beta test will conclude in July when these airmen are scheduled to graduate. If adopted, the use of tablets could also save the Air Force money on printing costs, states the release. (Columbus report by 2nd Lt. Joshua Benedetti)
The Space Force awarded three contracts for rocket launches worth up to a combined $13.68 billion on April 4—and the usual players SpaceX and United Launch Alliance have got some competition in the form of newcomer Blue Origin.