An RQ-4 Global Hawk Block 20 unmanned reconnaissance aircraft assigned to Edwards AFB, Calif., made an emergency landing on Rogers Dry Lake bed, adjacent to the base, just after midnight on May 28 while on a local test flight, sustaining damage. According to an Edwards release, this air vehicle, AF-9, experienced flight control problems. While the aircraft’s operators performed “a unique series of flight control maneuvers” and managed to land the aircraft on the lakebed, its right wing and main landing gear sustained damage. However, the aircraft’s structural integrity was maintained, thereby sparing it sensor payload, according to the release. Edwards officials are assessing the damage and an accident investigation board has been convened.
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.