The Air Force has chosen Boeing to convert up to 126 retired F-16 fighters to unmanned full-scale aerial targets designated QF-16s. They will succeed the Air Force’s inventory of QF-4 targets that are used today to help develop weapons and tactics. Boeing is scheduled to start delivering QF-16s in 2014. On Monday, the company received a $69.7 million contract for the initial engineering, manufacturing, and development activities. Boeing will design and develop the QF-16 in St. Louis. Production and testing will occur at the company’s facility in Cecil Field, Fla., near Jacksonville. Boeing’s team includes BAE Systems, prime contractor for the QF-4s. (Boeing release) (Pentagon’s March 8 list of major contracts)
Airmen and Guardians in the Active and Reserve component, as well as civilian employees, in “mission critical and high-risk populations” are now required to receive influenza vaccinations annually to “preserve force readiness,” according to a recent Department of the Air Force memo.