Engaging the Enlisted Force: 
In one of his first major addresses as the service’s new top enlisted airman, CMSAF James Roy tackled subjects ranging from the need to remain focused in combat operations to improving childcare in the Air Force. Perhaps most importantly, the new Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, speaking Wednesday at AFA’s Air & Space Conference, exhorted airmen to “think and act like we’re at war” and, particularly urged them: “Don’t take shortcuts.” Roy emphasized, “What we cannot afford is to lose an individual because of a shortcut.” He recalled that it had already happened in the case of a civil engineer specialist who attempted to shortcut work in defusing an improvised explosive device. Roy also talked about career building and improving joint operations, as well as the service’s efforts to improve support to families and airmen. Continue
General Atomics, the maker of one of the Air Force’s first Collaborative Combat Aircraft, has ambitious plans for its family of semi-autonomous drones beyond the FQ-42, including a flying-wing aircraft capable of carrying out both reconnaissance and strike missions. Meanwhile, the Air Force Research Laboratory announced a new program to…