The Air Force has given Boeing a $49 million contract to aid Air Force Research Lab laser research and development efforts at Kirtland AFB, N.M., according to a company release. The work falls under AFRL’s Laser Application Support and In-house Research (LASIR) program that could lead to the “next-generation of laser weapon technologies,” said Scott Fancher, VP and general manager of Boeing Missile Defense Systems. He added that the work represents “potential solutions to equip the warfighter with ultra-precision engagement capability.” It will focus on advances in gas, hybrid electric-gas, and chemical laser systems, but will also engage technologies related to high-power fiber lasers, fiber laser pumps, non-linear optics, solid-state lasers, and diode-pump lasers, according to the release.
B-21 Raider First Flight Now Postponed to 2023
May 20, 2022
The Air Force says the B-21 Raider won't make its first flight until 2023; about a six-month delay from the last official estimates. No reason was given for the delay. While other programs have recently chalked up schedule slips to supply chain and labor shortages, the Air Force has said…