The Air Force Res
earch Lab’s munitions directorate at Eglin AFB, Fla., announced earlier this month that it has successfully tested the Voyeur, a compact, proof-of-concept rotary wing unmanned air vehicle designed for real-time bomb damage assessment missions, even in cluttered urban environments. Lite Machines Corporation of West Lafeyette, Ind., builds the Voyeur, which has a 27-inch-long body with 30-inch-wide rotors and can stay aloft for about one-half hour. It employs two counter-rotating coaxial rotors that provide lift and maneuverability, while eliminating the need for a tail rotor. The aircraft also features an active stability system that makes it more stable and more maneuverable than traditional rotary wing UAVs. The AFRL says Voyeur’s attributes allow its electro-optical and infrared sensors to provide unquestionable confirmation of target destruction moments after a weapon’s impact. (Includes Eglin report by Rex Swenson)
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.