At least the current projects by developers in Solano County, Calif., have passed muster with officials at Travis Air Force Base, where there were initial concerns that ongoing wind turbine projects might adversely affect the base’s air traffic control radar. According to Air Mobility Command, the base now has “an innovative simulation methodology” that will predict the impact of wind turbine projects on the radar coverage. Developed by Westslope Consulting, the simulation showed the base could maintain safe flying operations following construction of Shiloh III, a new phase of projects slated for the Montezuma-Collinsville Wind Resource Area. And, Travis will be able to assess future wind turbine projects using the same simulation approach. (AMC release)
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.