Gen. Lance W. Lord, who is commander of Air Force Space Command and currently the longest serving Air Force four-star on active duty, plans to retire on April 1, after 37 years of service. AFSPC officials say details for the change of command ceremony are forthcoming, as is the name of his successor. Officials also say that the Space Command NCO force will bestow its order of the sword upon Lord on Feb. 11.
The Air Force is upgrading some 70 MQ-9 Reapers to a new configuration that will keep the type capable and relevant to the near-peer fight for another 15 years. It awarded General Atomics a $272.3 million contract to enhance the Reaper's weapons, electric power. connectivity and resistance to jamming, among…