The Air Force has awarded Boeing a $12.5 million contract to provide three massive ordnance penetrators, those huge 30,000 pound-class bunker busters, for use in tests on the B-52H bomber. According to DOD’s list of major contracts for Aug. 18, these MOPs will be used in one single drop test and one dual-release drop test from the venerable B-52. This news comes on the heels of the Pentagon announcing its intent to accelerate MOP development by several years so that the first units could be available for operational use by next summer. (See UPI news wire service report from Aug. 17.) The Air Force announced in June that it intends to purchase up to 20 MOPs from Boeing before the end of the year for testing and operational use with the B-2A bomber. (DOD contract list for Aug. 18)
Air Force Changes Rules for Pregnant Aircrew—Again
April 3, 2025
The Air Force is changing its policy for pregnant aircrew, generally reverting to rules set in 2019 that barred female aviators from flying during the first trimester—or from flying in aircraft with ejection seats at all—due to potential risks to the pilot and her unborn fetus.